Gabriela Sabatini among packed crowd in Buenos Aires to watch Carlos Alcaraz’s comeback match

In a riveting night at Court Guillermo Vilas in Buenos Aires, the tennis world witnessed Carlos Alcaraz’s triumphant comeback match on Wednesday.

However, it wasn’t just the 2022 US Open champion’s skills that captivated the audience. The packed crowd included legendary Argentinian tennis figures, with the queen of Argentinian tennis, Gabriela Sabatini, notably among them.

As Alcaraz clinched victory in a thrilling three-set match against Laslo Djere, the post-match press conference shed light on Sabatini’s presence. The 1990 US Open champion, Sabatini, holds a significant place in tennis history as the sole Argentinian woman to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era. Her legacy extends beyond this achievement, as she remains the highest-ranked player from Argentina in WTA rankings history, reaching No. 3 across five different years (1989-1993).

Adding to the tennis spectacle, former ATP players Guillermo Coria and Juan Monaco graced the stands. Both former champions at the ATP event in Buenos Aires, Coria (2004) and Monaco (2007) brought their experience and championship spirit to witness Alcaraz’s historic return. Coria, reaching as high as No. 3 on the ATP rankings, and Monaco, ranked No. 10, added a touch of nostalgia to the event.

For Alcaraz, playing in Argentina for the first time in his career, the quarterfinal match awaits on Friday. The convergence of past and present tennis stars in Buenos Aires has undoubtedly elevated the excitement surrounding the tournament.

In a seemingly unrelated yet equally intriguing turn of events, the tennis world experienced a peculiar moment just days into the new year. Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, known for his unassuming presence on the tour, claimed the spotlight with a self-inflicted injury during the United Cup encounter with Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.

Mannarino’s decision to hit himself with the butt cup of his Babolat frame, following a challenging moment on the court, left spectators and commentators astonished. Despite the unconventional incident, Mannarino went on to secure a 6-4, 6-4 victory, propelling France closer to the United Cup quarterfinals and potentially marking his entry into the Top 20 rankings.

As the tennis world revels in both the return of a young prodigy in Buenos Aires and the unexpected theatrics of Mannarino’s self-imposed injury, the sport continues to deliver moments that captivate audiences worldwide.