2024-05-02 22:12:35
Some say that coincidences do not exist, but it is difficult not to be surprised by some “extraordinary” events, such as the one that happened with Guillermo Vilas and Horacio Zeballos (father): about 20 years ago, The former Argentine tennis number one predicted to his then colleague and friend that his son would occupy a very important place in the sport.. Today, two decades later, the man from Mar del Plata achieved the victory that will place him, starting next Monday, as the first Argentine to reach number 1 in the ATP doubles ranking.
“Horacio, your son is a very good boy. He will do very well. He has secured a place within the tennis industry. If he does not arrive as a tennis player, he will arrive as a coach or teacher, etc. “I’ll take care of him,” Vilas wrote to Cebolla Sr., in an email he sent him on November 25, 2003. The screenshot of that email was shared by Zeballos himself after his victory in the Masters 1000 in Madrid. .
“How can I not get excited about these things. The year was 2003 and Guillermo was exchanging emails with my old man. (friends and long training partners) about my career. Always giving me a hand, from advice, to getting me the first contract with Head, which is still valid. As you say Guille. I’ll take care of him! And so you do it. A teacher!”, posted the Argentine, 39 years old, next to the image.
Zeballos’ publication gained notoriety this Thursday, hours after his victory together with the Spanish Marcel Granollers by 4-6, 6-2 and 16-14 against the Monegasque Hugo Nys and the Polish Jan Zielinski They confirmed him as the new number 1 doubles player in the ATP ranking.
Besides, Zeballos had already surpassed Guillermo Vilas’ record of ATP titles, achieving 20 as a doubles player.
‘Cebolla’ (son) was trained at the Edison Lawn Tennis Club, while Guillermo did so at Náutico.
Old rival of his father Horacio, director of the Mar del Plata club since 1984 – he played twice: once in the juniors in the BALTC and another in the Bahía Blanca Austral Tournament, which was international -, Vilas was always recognized for his gestures with the Argentine tennis players who walked around the circuit.