The legendary Rafael Nadal was honest when he asked if anyone could match his record of almost mythical Roland Garros. Reaching printing in Paris after receiving and Famous Homage to Philippe-Chamrier court On Monday, Nadal did not rule out the possibility that his record of 14 French open titles, but insisted that it would take a very long time.
Nadal holds the record for the most titles at the only Grand Slam tournament in Roland Garros. The Spaniard, who left professional tennis last year, boasts an amazing record of losing the 112-4 victory in Paris, after winning all 14 finals he attacked in the iconic court.
Nadal, who considered his extraordinary consistency at the French Open, spoke of the physical and mental requirements to maintain such dominance. Since winning the debut in 2005, he missed the tournament once – in 2023. In 2016 he withdrew in the middle of the tournament due to injury.
“I always say the same thing, and although I know it will be difficult to be honest, I really feel that if I do it, I do not consider myself very, very special. Someone else will come and they will also achieve it,” Nadal said.
“But to put it in a perspective, he has to go on a journey to make it happen. You need a long career. You can’t have many injuries – even if I did it. I left here only once in 2016.
“So yes, you also need luck. To win 14 big straws in the same place, here in Roland Garros – it can happen. But it will take a while. At least 30 years.”
Nadal on the trail of Chatrier
Rafael Nadal Foolprint on Phillipe Chatrier (AP Photo)
Nadal was almost unsurpassed during his career at Paris’s clay, so his achievements in Roland Garros were probably the hardest mimicing in the history of sport.
In honor of a fourteen champion, the organizers revealed a permanent judiciary with Nadal’s footprint and signature during Monday’s honor, attended by Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. Philippe-Chamrier will remain in court forever forever.
“When I saw it, I thought it would be just for this year. When they told me it would be forever, I couldn’t describe my emotions. It’s a great honor. I was excited when I knew it would be present at the most important court of my career,” Nadal said.
Djokovic, who won three titles in Roland Garros, remains one of the applicants this season. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz is gaining to become the first man from Nadal in 2019–2020 to maintain the crown. The champion advocate on Monday started strongly and won his opening match in direct sets.
Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
26. May 2025
