Nico Almagro in Hamburg Quarters
Spain's Newest Tennis Star Upsets Countryman Tommy Robredo
Nicolas Almagro upset his countryman Tommy Robredo en route to his best showing this year in an ATP Masters Series event.
Can yet another Spanish star have been born? If 21-year-old Nicolas Almagro continues to perform as he did yesterday against world no.7 and defending ATP Masters Series Hamburg Champion Tommy Robredo, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Almagro’s name is perhaps slightly more recognizable than Manuel Alonzo’s, Spain’s first top-ten player who may have started the run of world-class tennis players in Spain with a ranking of no.5 in 1927, but that anonymity is likely to change in a hurry.
Almagro Making a Name
All tennis fans know of Rafa Nadal and Tomy Robredo since both are firmly ensconced among the ATP top ten, with Nadal receiving at least as much press as the ATP's world no.1 Roger Federer. But Almagro? We now know Nadal, simply as “Rafa.” Perhaps by the end of the French Open, Nicolas Almagro, ranked no. 52 in the world (25th in ATP points race), whose biggest wins prior to upsetting Robredo were over no.31 Stanislas Wawrinka in January, no.35 Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina in February, and 50th ranked Tim Henman last month in Rome, will be widely known as “Nico.”
Spain Routinely Produces Top Players
It should surprise no knowledgeable tennis aficionado that Spain is spawning yet another tennis threat. Although Spain boasts a population that is only four million more than the US State of California, and seven times smaller than the US population, it has produced highly ranked tennis stars for many years. Such players include former no.1-ranked Carlos Moya, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Manuel Santana.
Male and Female Spaniards Known for Toughness
Spanish players have long been known for their toughness and indomitable spirits. Players such as Manuel Orantes, Alex Corretja, and Sergei Bruguera, both of whom have won Grand Slam titles, epitomized that toughness. If you have been on the planet for at least 15 years and a tennis fan for 12, then you certainly remember Alex Corretja’s epic, and I mean “EPIC” battle with Pete Sampras in the 1996 US Open quarter-final. In addition to toughness, Corretja was the epitome of grace and sportsmanship after he lost the 4-hour match in a tiebreak, having squandered a match point against a regurgitating Sampras. Although less prolific on the women’s side, Spain also produced Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, who won the French Open three times, the US Open once, and gave anyone she faced veritable fits every single time! There was none tougher than Arantxa.
Will Nico Follow in Compatriots' Footsteps?
And now this tiny country with a people of huge spirit and four top-20 players in the ATP Tour Rankings continues its relentless production of world-class players, unleashing Nicolas Almagro on the ATP Tour. There’s no way to tell if precocious players will fulfill their promise, but chances are that “Nico” will follow the path paved by his formidable and fearless forebears.
Who's Next?
Next, Nico will play either Fillipo Volandri of Italy, with whom he has split his two most recent matches or Jose Acasuso of Argentina, whom he has beaten three consecutive times. Evincing the Spanish tradition of speed, power, and determination, bolstered by a solid foundation of consistency, Nicolas Almagro should turn some heads, not to mention some scoreboards, his way for some time to come.
