Rafael Nadal has been present in Jeddah, overseeing the Next Gen Finals championships and also junior level tournaments.
Rafael Nadal (Image via X)
Alex Michelsen may have lost in the Next Gen ATP Finals to Learner Tien, but he had a memorable weekend thanks to meeting Rafael Nadal. The Spanish legend has been in Jeddah for a while and has been actively following tennis tournaments, including the Next Gen ATP Finals.
Like many up-and-coming players, Nadal has been a childhood idol for Michelsen. The young player shared a strong reason why the 38-year-old is regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace the tennis courts.
Nadal was scheduled to attend the finals of the Next Gen ATP Finals. The left-hander was seen presenting the trophy to the eventual champion, Joao Fonseca.
Nadal retired from professional tennis at the conclusion of Spain’s Davis Cup campaign this year. The former World No. 1 lost his final match against Botic Van De Zandschulp.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal added a touch of inspiration to the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) U14 Tournament in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as he presented the trophies to the young champions. Among them was Muhammad Hassan Usmani, a rising star from Pakistan, who delivered an outstanding performance by winning both the singles and doubles titles. Receiving the awards from his idol, Nadal, was a moment Usmani described as a dream come true.
In the singles final, Usmani showcased incredible skill and composure against top-seeded Suleyman Hudayberdiyev from Turkmenistan. The young Pakistani secured a commanding victory with a 6-3, 6-1 scoreline. His performance was a testament to his poise and talent on the court.
Usmani’s doubles journey was equally remarkable. He teamed up with his singles rival, Hudayberdiyev, to take on the Saudi duo of Anas Alzahrany and Souhail El-Taji El-Farouki. In a thrilling match, the pair edged out a hard-fought win, 7-5, 4-6, 10-8, highlighting Usmani’s versatility and teamwork.
The Pakistan Tennis Federation celebrated Usmani’s success, with President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi calling it a historic moment for tennis in Pakistan. Usmani’s victories in Jeddah mark a significant milestone for emerging Pakistani athletes on the international stage, paving the way for future stars.
