MADRID — After scoring a first-round victory in his debut match on the Madrid Open, Spain’s new tennis sensation Rafael Jodal raised his arms and unfold them huge, imitating England and Actual Madrid soccer star Jude Bellingham celebrating a objective.
Jodal, a 19-year-old Actual Madrid fan from Madrid, wrote “Hey Jude” on the lens of one of many tv cameras.
Bellingham, who was within the stands Wednesday, smiled and applauded. The 2 met briefly afterward and posed for a photograph collectively at Bellingham’s objective celebration.
“I talked to him after the match and requested him if he preferred the match,” Jodal mentioned. “I did not know he was coming right here. It meant rather a lot to me. He is an important man. I am so grateful he got here. He is a job mannequin for me and my favourite soccer participant.”
Bellingham was nonetheless within the capital after the England worldwide performed 60 minutes in Actual Madrid’s 2-1 dwelling win over Alaves on Tuesday. He’s anticipated to be a part of the England squad for this summer season’s World Cup.
Jodal met Bellingham and different Actual Madrid gamers when he obtained his membership’s award on the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium after profitable the 2024 US Open Males’s Championship.
It took him two and a half hours to beat Jesper de Jong 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 on Middle Courtroom at Caja Magica within the Spanish capital on Wednesday.
With this win, Hodal grew to become the third Spaniard to win the principle attract Madrid earlier than turning 20, after Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
“I used to be actually wanting ahead to enjoying right here, however I knew I needed to have a stable sport from begin to end,” Jodal mentioned. “I’m glad as a result of with this win we are able to play right here once more.”
Jodal received in Marrakech earlier this month for his first ATP Tour victory, however he was outdoors the highest 600 within the rankings only a 12 months in the past. He entered the highest 100 in March and is at the moment ranked forty second on the earth.
His subsequent match might be towards fifth seed Alex de Minaur (Australia).
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.
