Nadal conducts clinic
On Thursday, former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal conducted a tennis clinic with trainees at Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy at the show courts of the DlTA Stadium in the capital.Tens of future hopefuls had the opportunity to hit with Nadal and somehow keep the ball in with the Spaniard hitting his trademark whipping groundstrokes. Each kid played one or two points apiece. Rafa's uncle and coach Toni Nadal engaged with the kids and cheered them on. Thereafter, the 14-time Grand Slam champion signed every kid's T-shirt before rounding them up for a group photo.
real Rafa on court
With the clinic and media duties behind him, the 'real' Rafa came to the court. He hit with Ivan - a member of the IPTl team — for nearly an hour and a half. This practice session included rallies, volleys, smashes, serves and was rounded up with the Spaniard playing a set. The now reduced crowd of 50cheered Rafa's every winner and brilliant groundstroke. Many kids who still stayed around with parents and siblings, asked Rafa for a photo and the occasional autograph. In the end, Nadal obliged a few with autographs before walking off with bodyguards protecting him from hovering kids.
Sold outIJ Not really
Even though online booking information for the IPTl said it is sold out, the reality on the ground was very different. The seats were scarcely occupied with most of the 25,000 seats going empty. The same problem had persisted last year too but this year the ticket prices have been reduced to circumvent that isuse. The expectation is for the stadium to be packed on Saturday when the prime event of Rafael Nadal versus Roger Federer takes place.
Kohli in attendance
After a tremendous 3-0 win over South Africa, India's Test captain chose IPTl as a good occasion to unwind with the India-Pakistan series in a limbo. He was seated at the Indira Gandhi Stadium with his UAE Royals camp where he's the co-owner. A fan of Federer, Kohli does have the luxury of having the Swiss player in his team.