Rafael Nadal is now endeavoring to secure his sixth Madrid Open championship. Zinedine Zidane, Vinicius Jr., and King Felipe VI of Spain observed his second-round encounter against Alex De Minaur.

Nadal defeated Alex De Minaur, who holds the 11th position in the global rankings, with a score of 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 in the second round of the 2024 Madrid Open on Saturday. Prior to this match, the two players had previously competed against one other ten days ago, during which De Minaur emerged victorious over the 37-year-old in the second round of the Barcelona Open.

Tennis TV posted a video on X (previously Twitter) showcasing King Felipe VI of Spain alighting from a vehicle and exchanging greetings with the organizers of the Madrid Open. He then proceeded to enter the stadium while a match was still in progress.

A separate video posted on X by ATP Tour included Vinicius Jr. and Zinedine Zidane, prominent football players from France and Real Madrid. They were observed observing from the spectator area.

During his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Nadal expressed his satisfaction at having the opportunity to compete against a formidable opponent such as Alex de Minaur. In 2023, the Spanish athlete underwent surgery and has been absent from several tournaments this season due to injuries. In addition, he displayed self-assurance in his physical condition and expressed his intention to proceed gradually.

“I am delighted to be participating in a competition alongside a player of Alex de Minaur’s caliber.” The issue has not been with tennis itself, but rather with my physical condition. I shall assess the extent of my capabilities by engaging in a game of tennis. “I am eager to observe my gradual improvement,” he stated.