Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep lead early tributes after great Manolo Santana passes away

Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep are some of the tennis stars who have paid tribute to Manolo Santana after the Spanish legend died at the age of 83.
Santana, who competed from 1956 until 1977, is considered by many Spanish tennis players as the man who paved the way for them.
He won four Grand Slam singles titles – two at Roland Garros in 1961 and 1964 and one each at Wimbledon (1966) and the US Open (1965) – with all four coming during the amateur era.
Santana, who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984, also won the French Open men’s doubles title in 1963 and three Davis Cup titles with Spain.
He is second behind Nadal in terms of most men’s Grand Slam titles won by a Spaniard.
“Just received the terrible news of the passing of our great Manolo Santana,” 20-time major champion Nadal wrote. “As I have said many times in the past: thank you so much for what you did for our country and for setting the path for so many. You were always a reference, a friend and a close person to all.
“We will miss you Manolo; you will always be unique and special.”
Two-time Grand Slam champion Halep also took to Twitter to pay tribute.
“We lost a tennis legend and a great, kind man today,” the former women’s world No 1 wrote.
We lost a tennis legend and a great, kind man today. Rest In Peace Manolo Santana 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Gy7vHjfpt8
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) December 11, 2021
Great Britain’s tennis doyen Judy Murray also paid tribute to the “genius with a racket” after Feliciano Lopez wrote: “Manolo Santana has left us impossible to explain the emptiness you leave… Thank you for being the pioneer and guiding the path of all those who came after and for helping me and believing in me always. I will never forget it.”
So sad. A genius with a racket and the most charming company.
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) December 11, 2021
Other Spaniards including Garbine Muguruza Conchita Martinez and David Ferrer, as well as tennis great Billie Jean King also paid their respects.
DEP Manolo.Gracias por tu bondad, cercanía y por enseñarnos el camino. Siempre fuiste nuestro referente, para todos en el tenis español, un pionero. Tan atento y tan cercano, en los buenos y los malos momentos. Te echaré de menos.
Todo mi cariño para su familia y seres queridos. pic.twitter.com/VLUWLmsimf— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) December 11, 2021
✨ Gracias, Manolo, por toda tu bondad, vocación y entrega al tenis. Nos queda tu leyenda. El mundo del tenis ya te echamos de menos. DEP pic.twitter.com/GzzmmeGh73
— Conchita Martínez (@conchitamartinz) December 11, 2021
DEP Manolo, siempre fuiste el mejor. Gracias por enseñarnos a poder conseguir nuestro sueño y sobretodo gracias por ser alguien tan especial. pic.twitter.com/pQm8qPyrgM
— David Ferrer (@DavidFerrer87) December 11, 2021
The great Manolo Santana has passed away.
He & I won our 1st #Wimbledon singles titles in 1966 (he was the first Spanish man to win the title). We danced the 1st dance at the Ball.
He loved the sport, & we shared many conversations over the years.
Condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/spGkz300m1
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) December 11, 2021
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