Leading players from the world of tennis have paid their tributes to Diego Maradona after the Argentine football legend died at the age of 60 on Wednesday suffering a heart attack.
"Today the world of sports in general and football in particular has a void," world No 2 Rafael Nadal, who is tied with Roger Federer for a record 20 Grand Slam singles titles, said on Twitter.
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"One of the greatest sportsmen in history, Diego Maradona, has left us. What he did in football will remain. My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family, the world of football, and to all of Argentina."
Hoy el mundo del deporte en general y el fútbol en particular tiene un vacío. Se nos fue #Maradona uno de los deportistas mas grandes de la historia. Queda lo que hizo en el fútbol. Mi mas sincero y sentido pésame a su familia, al mundo del fútbol y a toda la Argentina 🇦🇷
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) November 25, 2020
The men's ATP Tour remembered Maradona, who took Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, with a social media post saying "A champion and icon loved by all", accompanied with a picture of Maradona with Federer.
Argentina's Diego Schwartzman, who said recently his parents named him after Maradona like many others in the country after the World Cup victory, paid tribute in a social media post.
"How could you not be named Diego? I love you forever D10S ('god')," the current world No 9 wrote.
Y cómo no te vas a llamar DIEGO?? Te amo para siempre D10S https://t.co/teE1cqjdf8
— diego schwartzman (@dieschwartzman) November 25, 2020
And former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro joined fellow Argentines in mourning the loss of Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
"I feel like you're returning to where you belong, to HEAVEN. For me you will never die," said del Potro, who famously hit a few balls with Maradona on Centre Court during the 2013 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Siento que volvés al lugar que te pertenece, EL CIELO. Para mí nunca vas a morir. Descansá en Paz.#GraciasDiego https://t.co/CenIdC4Tbe
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) November 25, 2020
More on Diego Maradona:
- Lionel Messi on Maradona: 'He does not leave because Diego is eternal'
- Diego Maradona's death leaves a nation in mourning - in pictures
- Diego Maradona: When a teenage talent left Wembley spellbound