Nadal leads tennis world in paying respect to Maradona

Fans of Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona gather outside Argentinos Junior’s Diego Armando Maradona Stadium to mourn his death in La Paternal neighbourhood, Buenos Aires, on November 25, 2020, on the day of his death. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)

Spaniard Rafael Nadal led the tennis world in paying tribute to Argentine football great Diego Maradona who died at the age of 60 on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack.

“Today the world of sports in general and football in particular has a void,” Nadal, who is tied with Roger Federer for a record 20 Grand Slam singles titles, said on Twitter.

Hoy el mundo del deporte en general y el fútbol en particular tiene un vacío. Se nos fue #Maradona uno de los deportistas mas grandes de la historia. Queda lo que hizo en el fútbol. Mi mas sincero y sentido pésame a su familia, al mundo del fútbol y a toda la Argentina 🇦🇷

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) November 25, 2020

“One of the greatest sportsmen in history, Diego Maradona, has left us. What he did in football will remain. My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family, the world of football, and to all of Argentina.”

The men’s ATP Tour remembered Maradona, who took Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, with a social media post saying “A champion and icon loved by all,” accompanied with a picture of Maradona with Federer.

Y cómo no te vas a llamar DIEGO?? Te amo para siempre D10S https://t.co/teE1cqjdf8

— diego schwartzman (@dieschwartzman) November 25, 2020

Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman, who said recently his parents named him after Maradona like many others in the country after the World Cup victory, paid tribute in a social media post.

“How could you not be named Diego? I love you forever D10S (‘god’),” the current world number nine wrote.

Siento que volvés al lugar que te pertenece, EL CIELO. Para mí nunca vas a morir. Descansá en Paz.#GraciasDiego https://t.co/CenIdC4Tbe

— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) November 25, 2020

And former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro joined fellow Argentineans in mourning the loss of Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time.

“I feel like you’re returning to where you belong, to HEAVEN. For me you will never die,” said del Potro.