Rafael Nadal plans to attend the Champions League Final between his beloved Real Madrid and Liverpool despite the French Open 2022
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Rafael Nadal intends to attend the Champions League final between his beloved Real Madrid and Liverpool, despite the ongoing French Open.
Paris’ Stade de France plays host to the Champions League showpiece on Saturday, with Madrid aiming for a 14th European Cup as Liverpool looks to add to their EFL Cup and FA Cup successes this season.
Meanwhile, across the city in the French capital, Nadal remains in contention at Roland Garros after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 6-2 6-4 on Friday. Madrid great Zinedine Zidane was in attendance as the Spaniard cruised to victory, with the 35-year-old setting up a last-16 clash with Felix Auger-Aliassime.
While Nadal did not get to converse with Zidane, he was aware of the Frenchman’s presence as the record 21-time grand slam winner outlined his plans to make the short trip to support Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid.
“I didn’t see him, but I knew it was him, I knew he was there because I was listening to the crowd shouting his name all the time,” Nadal told reporters when asked about Zidane. “So I imagine he was there, but I didn’t have the chance to see him after my match or talk with him at all.”
“Tomorrow, let’s see how I wake up, because, you never know with my body how the surprises are there. But if nothing happens, and I expect nothing happens, and if I’m able to have the right practice tomorrow, my intention and my goal is to be there [at the Stade de France],” he added.
Read More: Champions League 2018 Final: When Real Madrid conquered Liverpool on this day three years ago
Arsene Wenger’s appearance motivated Novak Djokovic towards victory
Novak Djokovic has admitted Arsene Wenger played a role in his straight-sets victory over Aljaz Bedene at the French Open. The world No 1 needed just an hour and 44 minutes to defeat the Slovenian 6-3 6-3 6-2 and admitted it helped him to have the former Arsenal manager watching on during his match.
It was a star-studded affair as Wenger, Clarence Seedorf, and Zinedine Zidane all watched on from their seats on Court Philippe-Chatrier. After the match, world No 1 admitted that he was given extra motivation when he noticed Wenger in the crowd.
“It’s an honor to have legends of the football world coming to watch. It’s a great feeling when someone of their level of success and personality comes to watch. I saw Arsene at the beginning of the match and it positively affected me,” Djokovic said.
The reigning French Open champion said he didn’t notice Zidane but was honored to have football legends watching his match and enjoying the sport. “I saw Wenger and Clarence Seedorf, not Zidane. It’s an honor when they come, most of us tennis players watch and follow football,” he added.
Read More: Champions League final: Real Madrid v Liverpool Preview, Team News, Possible Line ups and Prediction
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Sujeeth Shetty
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