At the age of 35, Feliciano Lopez is relishing his involvement in the current group of Spanish players featuring in the world’s top 100.
Headline by world No.2 Rafael Nadal, there are currently eight Spaniards inside the top 80. The figure illustrates Spain’s dominance in the sport. Last year seven players from the country won a total of ten ATP titles (two of which were only claimed by Nadal). It is an achievement that Lopez is proud to be a part of, but he knows it won’t last forever.
“’There are good younger players, but I always say that generation of Spanish players in the last ten years won’t happen again, first of all because there won’t be another Rafael Nadal, without forgetting all the ones that contributed to the many achievements of Spanish tennis,” Lopez told Spanish newspaper Marca.
Lopez’s warning comes with good evidence. The eight highest-ranked Spanish players are over the age of 26 with Pablo Carreno Busta the youngest at 15th in the world. As for players under the age of 25, only one Spaniard is in the top-200. 24-year-old Roberto Carballes Baena is currently at 131st in the world.
“’It’s clear that there won’t be another generation like this, but I think there will still be great players able to fight for important tournaments in the next years. For example Carreno, is the one I like the most and is already among the best players in the world.” Lopez said about the future for his fellow countrymen.
Many knew that this would happen. Nobody expects to see another player emulate the likes of Nadal. A player who has won 73 ATP titles, including a record ten at Roland Garros. His achievements are ones that stands out as one of the greatest in the history of the sport.
While there is an uncertain future, the present sees Spain closing in on the world No.1 ranking. Rafael Nadal embarks upon the Rogers Cup knowing that a run to the semifinals will dethrone Andy Murray from the top. In the Open era three Spanish men have spent a total of 151 weeks as world No.1. 141 of those weeks were held by Nadal.
Nadal, who received a first round bye at the Rogers Cup, will start his campaign on Tuesday.
