Rafael Nadal is immortalised forever in steel at Roland Garros - but this French Open is likely to be the 14-time champion's last.
Rafael Nadal won his first French Open title in 2005 and claimed his 14th in 2022When you arrive through the gates at Roland Garros one of the first things that catches your eye is a sculpture depicting its finest champion.Rafael Nadal, left arm across his chest, feet levitating above the court and mouth agape, has just walloped a trademark forehand winner.
"When Rafael was young I tried to teach him how important it was to improve every day, every single match and every single tournament. We weren't thinking Roland Garros was more important than Wimbledon or the US Open," Toni Nadal told BBC Sport. That, combined with his sharp movement and supreme athleticism, is what has made him so great in Paris.
The hotter summer temperatures in mainland Europe - where the majority of the clay-court season takes place - also help Nadal generate more bounce. So it is not surprising that Nadal emerged as the latest in a long line of Spanish success - albeit far more sustained than his predecessors - at Roland Garros.
Wandering around Court Philippe Chatrier - particularly before Nadal played a French Open final - felt like being outside the Santiago Bernabeu in the build-up to a big Real Madrid match.
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