Francisco Cerundolo admits it is a nice feeling when he sees Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic treating him with respect. Last year, Cerundolo clashed against Rafael Nadal on Wimbledon’s Centre Court – the Argentine competed extremely well as he even managed to win a set against the Spaniard.
After the match, Nadal praised Cerundolo’s performance. Also last year, Cerundolo revealed how during the 2021 Serbia Open in Belgrade Djokovic approached him and congratulated him on his 2021 Buenos Aires final. Whenever Cerundolo sees Nadal and Djokovic, he gets greeted by the two all-time greats.
“At this point it is beautiful that people like Nadal or Djokovic recognize me, greet me and congratulate me on a match. With Rafa it happened that we faced each other at Wimbledon and from then on we greet each other every time we see each other and exchange a few words.
The fact of being with them is impressive. As for Nole, he has a great sympathy for the Argentines, he always comes up and talks with us. They are the best in the world,” Cerundolo said, as quoted on Punto de Break.
Cerundolo was full of inspiration after the Nadal match
After winning a set against Nadal on the iconic Wimbledon Centre Court, 25-year-old Cerundolo won Bastad in his first tournament after Wimbledon.
“That match helped me in many ways. Having played on the Centre Court of Wimbledon, a full stadium and playing against Rafa, being able to keep emotions and not be totally scared, helped me a lot to know that, if I could play a good match there, I can do it anywhere,” Cerundolo said after winning Bastad.
After Bastad, Cerundolo also enjoyed a strong Hamburg run in the following week. In Hamburg, Cerundolo made the semifinal before losing to eventual champion Lorenzo Musetti. Following back-to-back great runs in Bastad and Hamburg, Cerundolo also achieved a career-high ranking of No 24 in the world.
