Cancer-survivor Mantilla wins emotional seniors title

Spain's Felix Mantilla, who spent two years bravely battling skin cancer, made an emotional return to tennis on Sunday winning the ATP Champions Tour title here.

The 34-year-old Mantilla saw off compatriot, and former French Open champion, Albert Costa 6-4, 6-1 to clinch the opening event on the 2009 seniors tour.

The former top 10 player, who won the ATP claycourt title here in 1999, was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006 after undergoing tests on a mole on his back.

He made a brief comeback before retiring, but went on to win his battle against the disease and be given a clean bill of health.

"I didn't think I'd be playing tennis like this again," said Mantilla.

"When I got my illness, I felt like I was retired and that it was finished. But then they gave me the possibility to come here and to play on the ATP Champions Tour and I thought 'Why not?' It's always nice to play your sport whilst having fun." As well as playing on the seniors tour, Mantilla has also been working for Tennis Australia as a talent-spotter for the last year, and he now spends half of the year living Down Under working with young players.

"I'm really happy that Tennis Australia gave me the opportunity to try and help them," he said.

"I'm working to try and develop clay court tennis in Australia. We're hoping that the young kids can grow up playing on slower surfaces, because that will help their play on all surfaces."

RCELONA, Monday, AFP