Pablo Carreno Busta will be embarking upon new territory when he plays his US Open semifinal match on Thursday, but it is compatriot Rafael Nadal that continues to dominate the headlines.
The 26-year-old is the only player remaining in the draw that has not dropped a set at the US Open. His path has featured clashes with four consecutive qualifiers, something that has never previously happened in grand slam tennis during the open era. Then in only his second major quarter-final, Carreno Busta dropped just ten games to seal the win.
It is an achievement that many on the tour would dream to do. Yet ten-time French Open champion Nadal remains the hot topic in Spain. In August 2016, a study conducted by professor Francesc Pujol from the University of Navarra found Nadal to be the most popular athlete in the entire Spanish Olympic team at the Rio Games. The study measured athlete’s popularity on the internet and their social media accounts.
“If you speak with some Spanish people about tennis, everybody knows Rafa. It’s true that Rafa is an incredible tennis player. He is one of the best ever.” Carreno Busta said after his quarter-final win.
Living in the shadows of another player is not always a fun experience. Roberto Bautista Agut once said that he would ‘have more popularity as a tennis player if he was not Spanish.’ The world No.19 finds himself in the same position, but he refuses to let it deter him. Insisting that his achievement at the US Open matches those of Nadal.
“There are a lot of Spanish players, good Spanish players. And now I am in the semifinals of the Grand Slam of US Open, and I think this is as important as if Rafa moved into to semifinals.”
There are also positives to having a underdog status. The expectations and pressure applied is far less. During Nadal’s clash with Taro Daniel last week, the world No.1 admitted to feeling nervous.
In the last four Carreno Busta will face Kevin Anderson. A semifinal that will almost certainly be overshadowed if Nadal manages to set up a historic clash with Roger Federer. Playing him in Flushing Meadows for the first time.
“Maybe it’s just easier when, in your country, Rafa has all the attention and you are very without this pressure, no?” The world No.19 explained.
“I don’t know. Sometimes is good; sometimes is not good.”
Nadal will play his quarter-final match later on Wednesday when he takes on Russian teenager Andrey Rublev.
