Rafael Nadal admits ‘fans leaned the other way’ while competing against Roger Federer during French Open


Rafael Nadal admits ‘fans leaned the other way’ while competing against Roger Federer during French Open
Rafael Nadal

World No.2, Rafael Nadal’s phenomenal feat at the Roland Garros over the years is by far the greatest and seemingly elusive for anybody to catch up. The Spaniard has won a staggering 13 titles in Paris. Despite this, there have been times when Nadal was not a fan favorite.

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However, Nadal has no complaints about it as in life as well as in the sport, there are always going to be people who will not always admire your capabilities.

During a recent interview on a show called ‘Alvarez Café’, Rafa opened up about several subjects, including crowd behavior at Roland Garros, as unlike the present, Rafa was not on the receiving end of much support from the crowd.

To be honest, in the beginning, in some matches in Philippe Chatrier things got complicated: Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal

Contrary to how things stand as of this year, Nadal has had a difficult time to gain the love of the crowd at the Roland Garros.

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The ‘King of Clay’ revealed that when played against Roger Federer or any French international, the crowd leaned the other way. Although, Nadal is very much recognized and loved by the French now.

“To be honest, in the beginning, in some matches in Philippe Chatrier things got complicated,” Nadal said. “I never took it personally and France is one of the countries in which I feel more loved,” he added.

“It is true that when I played with the French or with Federer, who at that time had never won, the balance leaned the other way,” he added. “But I never took it personally,” Nadal further remarked.

I have many things in life that make me happy outside of tennis: Nadal

Rafael Nadal

The interview also brought some important answers related to the World No.2’s retirement and future plans.

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Nadal admitted that he is not afraid of the day when he may have to bid adieu to the game as there exists a very happening life for the Spaniard outside of tennis too.

“I think I’m still looking forward and wanting to move on, but without any fear of that day coming,” Nadal said. “I have many things in life that make me happy outside of tennis and that takes away the tension of not wanting that day to come. I take it naturally,” he added.

Nadal also recalled an incident from the 2007 Hamburg Open, where he asked Federer for his T-shirt after the Swiss snapped his streak of 81 consecutive wins on clay.

“I lost the final in Hamburg (2007) and had 81 straight games without losing on clay. It was the historical record, above (Guillermo) Vilas. That day I lost. and I was excited to keep Federer’s shirt after losing. I have it saved and I’m excited to have it up on my museum,” Nadal said.

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Also Read: It is better to try to become a Rafael Nadal rather than a Roger Federer: Jean-Rene Lisnard