Parterre de rois in Madrid: how many VIPs at Jannik Sinner’s match!
A true parterre de rois to witness the highly anticipated match between Jannik Sinner and Rafael Jodar, who played each other in the Madrid Masters 1000 semifinals in a throbbing challenge that ended with a score of 6-2, 7-6(0). In the stands of the Caja Magica great surprise was the presence of Bernie Ecclestone, the now 95-year-old historic Formula 1 boss. Numerous, however, were the well-known and very well-known faces who flocked to Manolo Santana Stadium to witness in person the challenge between the number 1 in the ATP rankings and the great Spanish tennis sensation, who is stunning at just 12 years of age.
The Spanish capital’s facility could not be without current and past legends of Madrid soccer. In particular present were Raul Gonzalez Blanco, the historic captain of Real Madrid whose jersey he wore between 1994 and 2010, collecting among other things the victories of six editions of La Liga, three Champions Leagues and twice the Intercontinental Cup. Also with him were two of today’s symbols of the Merengues, such as Thibaut Courtois and Jude Bellingham, who sat next to young Argentine trequartista Franco Mastantuono in the stands. A great tennis champion between the 1960s and 1970s, but today decidedly better known for his successes in the world of entrepreneurship, Romanian billionaire Ion Tiriac was also among the spectators of the challenge between Sinner and Jodar.
The presence of Tiriac is not coincidental: the Romanian tycoon, who boasts a personal fortune of about 3 billion euros, has shown that he follows Sinner’s exploits with great attention. Just two weeks ago, speaking at the microphones of Rai Gr Parlamento, he had opened up in enthusiastic statements about the South Tyrolean: “His commercial value is at least 100 million euros a year, more than twice as much as a footballer. I am convinced that he can complete the Grand Slam one day, becoming Rod Laver’s successor in this respect.” Tiriac had then gone further, predicting for Sinner a haul of at least 20 career Slams and even the possibility of breaking the record of eight Wimbledon titles held by Roger Federer.
Curious also about the presence in the stands of Franco Mastantuono, the young Argentine talent from Real Madrid who is having a far from easy season at the Casa Blanca. Arrived last summer from River Plate for 45 million euros, the 18-year-old has struggled to establish himself under the orders of coach Alvaro Arbeloa, collecting just 26 appearances and three goals in the league. His presence at Manolo Santana Stadium next to Bellingham, however, tells of a young man who, despite his difficulties on the court, does not give up on fully experiencing his host city.
On the strictly tennis front, today’s victory further consolidates the extraordinary streak of Sinner, who with his success over Jodar centers the Madrid Masters 1000 semifinals for the first time in his career and continues the hunt for a historic feat: the fifth consecutive Masters 1000, a goal no player has ever managed to achieve in the past. The Italian was already coming off a hat trick in Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, a feat previously achieved only by Novak Djokovic. In the semifinals Sinner will find the winner between Arthur Fils and Jiri Lehecka, the Czech who has already proven his worth in this tournament by eliminating Lorenzo Musetti in the round of 16 with a clear double 6-3.
