The decibel level, though, reached its peak when the name of one man was announced. No prizes for guessing, it was Rafael Nadal.
There was a huge uproar inside the centre court of the RK Khanna Stadium when the chair umpire called out names of players ahead of the World Group Play-offs match between India and Spain here on Friday.
The decibel level, though, reached its peak when the name of one man was announced. No prizes for guessing, it was Rafael Nadal.
However, the fans that turned up in large numbers were left bitterly disappointed after their favourite 14-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from his scheduled opening tie due to what was officially cited as prevention from the wrist injury that has been bothering him for the latter half of this season.
Despite his no show, the crowd started chanting Nadal's name even when his replacement, Feliciano Lopez, walked onto the court to take on India's Ramkumar Ramanathan.
Lopez later said the decision to rest Nadal was in the pipeline throughout the week. “Rafa has been struggling with his wrist for last 2-3 months, he did not want to take risk,” Lopez said.
However, it is likely that the team management did not want to play Nadal first up in these humid conditions. Spain team captain Conchita Martinez had said after the official draw ceremony on Thursday that “the team is not eager to risk Nadal in opening singles under such humid conditions.”
Even the World No. 4 had dropped hints about Delhi’s humidity being too hot to handle.
“I’ve played in almost all the countries and under different conditions but the humidity here (Delhi) is on the higher side,” Nadal said after the draw.
However, there is still some hope for tennis fans as their beloved Rafa might feature in the doubles tie alongside Marc Lopez on Saturday. The pair recently won gold at the Rio Olympics.
As per the draw, India's Leander Paes and Myneni are set to face French Open champions Feliciano and Marc Lopez.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Rafael")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}