NADAL RECEIVES NATIONAL ACCOLADE
Madrid, Spain
The national accolades continue to pour in for Rafael Nadal in Spain. On Tuesday in Madrid, the Spaniard was named as an honorary ambassador of the Marca Espana.
Upon bestowing the title upon Nadal, the Prince of Asturias Don Felipe described the Mallorcan and his fellow recipients as a source of inspiration for everyone and praised them for attracting investments and talent that will facilitate the growth of the economy and employment in Spain.
Other recipients of the accolade were: Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, Antonio Garrigues, orchestral conductor Inma Shara, the Instituto Cervantes, the Vicente Ferrer Foundation and the Spanish national football team, which won the FIFA World Cup last year.
World No. 1 Nadal is in action as defending champion at the Mutua Madrid Open this week and opens his campaign on Wednesday againstMarcos Baghdatis.
http://www.atpworldtour....dal-National-Honour.aspx
MARIA HAS A LOT OF RESPECT FOR RAPHAEL. I HOPE THEY WILL MEET EACH OTHER VERY SOON. 



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"I'd love to open a tennis school for children in my hometown of Sochi." said Sharapova Maria.