The Mutua Madrid Open is sad to report that Manuel Santana passed away on Saturday in Marbella at 83 years of age.

The honorary president of the Mutua Madrid Open, having been its director from 2002, Santana was one of Spain’s biggest sportsmen in the twentieth century, becoming a pioneer by winning four Grand Slam titles (French Open 1961, 1964; Wimbledon 1966; US Open 1965) as well as many other great achievements during his legendary career.

Alongside Ion Tiriac, Santana played a fundamental role in ensuring that Madrid would host one of the biggest tennis events on the calendar by backing the 2002 Mutua Madrid Open, a tournament that will celebrate 20 years in the Spanish capital next season.

The Mutua Madrid Open would like to request that Santana’s family be respected and to send our deepest condolences to all of his loved ones.