Real Madrid

Fourty-two years ago, Manolo Santana won Wimbledon clad in a Real Madrid polo shirt. On Sunday, Rafael Nadal accomplished the feat with the Real Madrid crest blazed in his heart. Two Madridistas who add a hint of white to Spanish tennis. Spanish sports are on a roll this summer. Don't forget about Iker Casillas, a long-time friend of the tennis player, who was recently crowned champion of Euro 2008. Two Madridistas who are rewriting history.

Manolo Santana did in 1966 and 42 years later Rafael Nadal followed in his footsteps. They are the only two Spaniards to win men's singles at Wimbledon in the 131 year history of the tournament. But the two have something else in common other than success at the All England Club: Santana and Nadal are self-proclaimed Madridistas; the former who belonged to the club and won wearing a Real Madrid polo shirt. The two tennis stars have a special relationship built on mutual admiration, and Manolo Santana was one of Nadal's most ardent supporters throughout the latest Wimbledon.

President Ramón Calderón was also on hand, just like Raimundo Saporta accompanied Santana in his epic final. Following Nadal's upset of Federer, the President was granted access to the dressing room to congratulate the champion. "I am so happy you came," responded the newly-crowned champion.

Calderón, who was also on hand for Nadal's back-to-back Roland Garros titles, is thrilled with the success of Spanish sports this summer. Spain won the European championship in Vienna and then rose to glory in Wimbledon. The President has become a good luck charm for Madridismo.

Iker Casillas was responsible for raising the European Cup, while Nadal bit down and raised the Wimbledon trophy; Madridistas on their respective playing fields and friends off of them. Two elite athletes, two champions, two charitable Madridistas who last December joined forces in a Red Cross initiative to combat malaria.

Rafael Nadal has a deep-rooted relationship with Real Madrid. Any time the Mallorca native has an opening in his schedule, he visits the Santiago Bernabéu for football matches (Federer has even accompanied him). What's more, all Tour visitors will see a shirt donated by Nadal, who admits, "I've been a Madridista since I was a kid, but I don't know if I deserve to be there [tour] surrounded by so many sports legends. I am thrilled." Next to the shirt is a racket donated by Santana. The Wimbledon champions, both staunch Madridistas, have left their mark on the stadium, but more significant is that left by Real Madrid on their hearts. Congratulations champions!