Barcelona Open may sign Roger Federer, says Rafael Nadal is unique
The Real Club de Tenis Barcelona Club chief Albert Agustì did not deny that Roger Federer could play the Condo de Godò ATP 500 event in April next year. The Swiss never played in the tournament but Agustì is confident they can bring in him. 'He came when he was very young but he did not in the last ten years. Last year we had conversations, a door got opened but he decided not to play the clay-court season and now we are waiting what he decided about 2019 after the ATP Finals. If he does not rule out clay here we are. It's not just a money matter, but also a relationship, and on this way, Albert Costa's work has been great', said Agustì to Mundo Deportivo.
Asked if the tournament has a future after Rafael Nadal's retirement, Agustì replied: 'Man, prior to Rafa's breakthrough we had plus 50 years of the tournament held with an enormous success. But we will not see again what Rafa (generated). Although the Godó is not just Nadal, in the last 25 years a ridiculous generation was there with several worlds No. 1s, world top 10s, Grand Slam and Davis Cup champions... When I was travelling representing the club I was asked how we could have so many good tennis players in Spain. The answer is not simple but I always stressed the power of clubs, schools. Then you have talent. I think you will have a life but it will be complicated to replace Nadal's role in world tennis.'
Asked about a particular Spanish potential big name in the future, Agustà replied: 'The 15-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, a club member. The way he plays is amazing. Power, talent, I did not see anything similar since when Nadal was ten years old. He will be very good, definitely a top ten player in the world.'
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from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2QiCqRk
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