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French Open fans get behind 'super hero' Nadal
© afp.com/ALAIN JOCARD

French Open fans get behind 'super hero' Nadal

Published by , Monday 05/27/24 14:53

From Australia, China and the United States, Rafael Nadal fans descended on a chilly and damp Roland Garros on Monday, hoping to inspire their "super hero" to victory at the French Open.

Nadal, the record 14-time champion, was taking on Alexander Zverev in a tough first round encounter for a player whose career twilight has been stalled by injury.

His army of fans hope that whatever happens on the Philippe Chatrier Court, which the Spanish star has dominated for the best part of 20 years, he will remain true to his word and not retire despite his 38th birthday fast approaching.

"You always have to keep the faith in Rafa, he will win," Hazel, a 28-year-old fan who had flown in from China for a second straight year after being left disappointed when Nadal withdrew in 2023, told AFP.

"The most important thing is that he stays healthy," she says, as she proudly showed the banners she had made with the colours of Spain, Nadal's face and the message "Welcome back my super hero".

Nadal has only lost three times in 115 matches at the tournament since his title-winning debut as a 19-year-old in 2005.

He said at the weekend that there was a chance this may be his last French Open but insisted he was still keeping the door "100% open" on continuing his career.

"You see a lot of 'Thank you Rafa' shirts. He's a monument at this tournament," said 41-year-old Manolo who has come to Europe from the United States to watch Nadal and then Real Madrid play in the Champions League final in London this Saturday.

He has seen Nadal win at Wimbledon and the US Open as well as Paris but admits Monday's clash with world number four Zverev "will be very difficult".

"I hope he beats Zverev... Rafa is Rafa," he said.

"It's possibly the last time he plays here, so we're very happy to watch him," said Alsi, a 40-year-old fan living in Australia.

Source: AFP

Latest comments comments
Change is always good.
B Ravi kumar B Ravi kumar il y a 12 heures
Everyone will have there GOAT. Mine will always be Nadal. So glad I had the opportunity to watch him for almost his entire career
sdholly5 sdholly5 il y a 14 heures
Someone needs reading lessons
bigman27 bigman27 il y a 20 heures
Congratulation Emma I want you back to top 10 I always love you
Magdywhitecat Magdywhitecat il y a 1 jour
I had a small miniscus tear operated on and was allowed back in the gym and rnning 4 days later so long as I promised to take anti inflammatories and ice heavily afterwards. Back to playing basketball and tennis in two weeks. So it depends on the nature of the injury and surgery.
SH321 SH321 il y a 1 jour
It's the most wonderful tiiiime of the yeaaaar....
cyberpixie cyberpixie il y a 2 jours
Top des commentaires comments
Everyone will have there GOAT. Mine will always be Nadal. So glad I had the opportunity to watch him for almost his entire career
1 thumb_up
sdholly5 sdholly5
Oh nooo. What happened? Such a shame after his amazing tournament last year
1 thumb_up
Belinda S. Belinda S.
Baftă in continuare!
1 thumb_up
florinso florinso
Bama Otto!
0 thumb_up
Ossian S. Ossian S.
Daria, for the win ✌️
0 thumb_up
Aladdin Sane Aladdin Sane
ranking Top 5 Wednesday 26
altax13 1 altax13 6pts
Marno 3 Marno 6pts
Lise B. 4 Lise B. 5pts
Fitz 5 Fitz 4pts
Play the predictions