Every athlete has a deep connection with the arena where they thrive, and for Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros has always been special. Building an unmatched record of 14 titles at the French Open was a long journey, earning him countless devoted fans. However, his relationship with the French crowd wasn’t always smooth.
Nadal’s legacy in Paris was shaped by many factors, including his playing style, the atmosphere of the arena, and the support of his fans. The French crowd, known for being hard to please, was initially tough on the “King of Clay.”
In 2005, when an 18-year-old Nadal was making his mark, he faced a significant challenge at Roland Garros—not from his rivals but from the 15,000 spectators who whistled at him. Despite the harsh treatment, Nadal remained composed and eventually won his first French Open title. The reason behind the crowd’s initial hostility was unclear, but Uncle Toni once suggested that the French didn’t like seeing a Spaniard win, describing the crowd as “pretty stupid.”
Over time, Nadal became a favorite in Paris. Even at the Paris Olympics, where he wasn’t at his best, the cheers from his fans showed their enduring support. Despite his legacy, Nadal acknowledged Novak Djokovic as the favorite in their upcoming match.
Nadal’s first-round victory over Marton Fucsovics dispelled doubts about his potential and set up a highly anticipated clash with Djokovic. Although Nadal’s ranking had dropped due to his absence, he admitted that Djokovic was the favorite, given his recent competitiveness.
“It’s beautiful to play against one of the two biggest rivals that I had in my career, especially on this court,” Nadal said about the match with Djokovic. However, he also expressed a lack of confidence, noting the different situations for both players.
The upcoming 60th—and possibly last—showdown between Nadal and Djokovic will determine who continues their campaign for a medal and if Nadal can even his head-to-head record with Djokovic at 30-30.
