It was a slam dunk of a day for Argentine tennis Thursday on the Miami Open offered by Itau. National icon Manu Ginobli, a Basketball Hall of Fame NBA participant for the San Antonio Spurs, frolicked with a few of his nation’s stars.
Ginobli met 2022 semi-finalist Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who earned a first-round win towards Pavel Kotov.
“[It was] fantastic to get to know Manu. He’s an amazing player. He’s one of the best athletes in Argentine sports, so he’s an idol for me,” Cerundolo instructed ATPTour.com. “He’s a great basketball player. I know he is a tennis fan. He likes tennis, so it’s a pleasure to meet him and get to know him. I remember watching him in the Olympic games, playing for the Spurs, so there are a lot of memories that come to my mind.”
Ginobli was greater than a basketball star for his nation. He transcended sport as an icon, not only a four-time NBA champion. Cerundolo was thrilled to satisfy him in individual for the primary time.
“It’s fantastic because for [someone from] Argentina to get to the NBA and be one of the best players in many years of the NBA and win championships, it’s super tough, so he’s an inspiration for me and for all other athletes in any other sport,” Cerundolo stated. “Most of the people look up to him because he’s also a really nice guy. He’s always happy. We can always talk to him. He’s an example for everyone.”
It created for a particular environment in Miami when Ginobli turned a fan within the stands for Etcheverry throughout his straight-sets victory. Having a legendary athlete made the World No. 73’s first ATP Masters 1000 match win much more memorable.
“Here in Miami it’s incredible because there are lots of Argentines, and to have someone like Manu there and Pico Monaco, a lot of people that had a great career in their lives from Argentina, it was incredible,” Etcheverry stated. “It was incredible to have him in my team there supporting me. I was really motivated. It’s a dream come true to have this legend in my team in the [stands].”
Source web site: www.atptour.com
