Rafael Nadal to be named Adoptive Son of Sant Llorenc, the Mallorca town devastated by floods 2 years ago
Rafael Nadal is aiming to break a couple of records this weekend in Paris. If the Spaniard wins the French Open on Sunday, it would be a record-extending 13th title at Roland Garros - the most by any tennis player at one Major. It would also mark his 20th Slam, tying the all-time record set by Roger Federer.
So far, the Spanish tennis legend has looked in ominous form at the tournament. He has reached the semifinals without dropping a set.
But on Friday, there was some other good news for the Nadal camp, hours before he was scheduled to take to the court for his semifinal against Diego Schwartzman. The Spaniard has been honored by the Sant Llorenc des Cardassar City Council for providing economic relief to those affected by the fatal flash fatal floods on this day two years ago.
Rafael Nadal's volunteering efforts recognized by the City Council
On Friday, a minute of silence will be held at 1 pm local time to pay tribute to those who passed way in the floods on 9 October 2018. The city officials have also planned a meeting to approve Rafael Nadal as the adoptive son of Sant Llorenc des Cardassar. In addition, a street in the town will be named after the 34-year-old.
At the time of the floods, Rafael Nadal had travelled to Sant Llorenc des Cardassar to help with the clean-up operations in the region. In the aftermath of the havoc wreaked by the floods, Nadal had spoken about how he was deeply affected by all the suffering that the natural disaster had caused.
Nadal had also offered his academy facility, in the nearby municipality of Manacor, as a shelter those affected by the tragedy at the time.
Back on the courts, Rafael Nadal is taking on Diego Schwartzman in the first semi-final at Roland Garros.
The winner take on either World No. 1 Novak Djokovic or fifth seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday's final in Paris.