The Madrid City Council has decided this Monday to posthumously recognize tennis legend Manolo Santana as Madrid’s Favorite Son. The announcement was made this Monday, during the announcement of the winners of the Madrid Medal, which will be awarded on May 15, on the occasion of the festival of San Isidro, patron saint of the city.
Santana, who died last December at the age of 83, was the pioneer of Spanish tennis with his victories at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Openin addition to the Olympic gold achieved in Mexico 86.
Santana has also served in recent years as one of the city’s great ambassadors in his role as director of the Mutua Madrid Open from 2002 until he handed over the baton to Feliciano López. Santana, who was named honorary president of the tournament, was a key player in Madrid hosting one of the most outstanding tournaments on the tennis calendar. Now Madrid pays him the tribute that a Madrilenian and a tennis legend like him deserves.
