Rafael Nadal & Roland-Garros: to the moon and back

"Deux mille cinq, deux mille six, deux mille sept, deux mille huit…" the numbers continue through 2010-2014, 2017-2020 and finally 2022, building to a crescendo of applause. Maury finishes with a silky yet spine-tingling "from Spain, Raaaaaaafaeeeeel Nadaaaaaaal!"

It’s a welcome beyond welcomes, it's a hug, fist bump, high five, all in one as a huge thank you from the lucky fans in the stands, able to witness the 'King of Clay' live in action.

Nadal, who recently hung up his racquet in a professional capacity, is Roland-Garros royalty due to his unprecedented 14 titles triumphs in Paris. The Spaniard's mutual love and inspiration entwined with Roland-Garros is immortalised by the public entrance to the grounds near the Jardin des Mousquetaires.

It's a three metre tall, five metre wide, two metre deep steel statue of Nadal's trademark lassoing forehand. The work by sculptor Jordi Diez Fernandez was unveiled in 2021 and Nadal also had a 1/10 scale replica gifted to his Rafa Nadal Museum (on home soil in Manacor) by the tournament in 2023. Both the original statue and the Rafa Nadal Academy trip by Gilles Moretton, President of the French Tennis Federation, and Amelie Mauresmo, Director of Roland-Garros, underpin the unique relationship between their greatest champion and the tournament.

Let's break down why a statue became the fitting tribute.

Well, Nadal dominated the clay court campaign pretty much every season, with the left-hander frequently peaking in Paris. His rumbling forehands with curling waves of top spin, alongside supreme point construction, relentless striking and jaw-to-the-floor athleticism, enabled Nadal to become the only player in history to lift 14 titles at one Grand Slam.

The 22-time major winner was hailed the match winner in 112 of 116 clashes at Roland-Garros, the spectators absorbed from start to finish by his gladiator levels of commitment. The dominance at times felt inevitable, yet exhilarating, as Nadal went through four Roland-Garros campaigns (2008, 2010, 2017 and 2020) without dropping a single set.

Only three men managed to defeat him in Paris – Robin Söderling in 2009, his fiercest rival Novak Djokovic (2015 and 2021), as well as Alexander Zverev earlier this summer. As a result, Djokovic is the perfect candidate to describe facing Nadal on clay.

The Serbian edged their generational rivalry 31-29, however he succumbed to Nadal's magic at Roland-Garros in a 3-9 head-to-head.

“It's probably one of the biggest challenges that you can have in the tennis tour, playing Rafa at Roland-Garros," declared Djokovic. "You have sometimes when he's really in the zone and in the groove, not making many errors. You feel like he's impenetrable. He's like a wall.

“He's an incredible athlete. The tenacity and intensity he brings on the court, particularly at Roland-Garros, is something that was very rarely seen I think in the history of this sport.”

Dominic Thiem, who fell to the Spaniard in the 2018 and 2019 finals, echoed that sentiment.

"In in my opinion, to play Rafa here on Court Philippe-Chatrier, it’s still the toughest challenge," said the 2020 US Open winner. But I guess also outside of tennis, it’s probably one of the most difficult things ever in sports in general to beat him here on this court.”

Casper Ruud, in the current crop of major contenders, underpinned Nadal's impact and inspiration, coming up with this great line following the 2022 Roland-Garros silverware showdown.

"Of course, I wish I could make the match closer and all these things, but at the end of the day I can hopefully one day tell my grandkids that I played Rafa on Chatrier in the final," stated the current world No.6. "They will probably say, 'Wow, did you?' I'm probably going to enjoy this moment for a long time."

From Nadal's perspective it has been his most cherished sporting arena since the very start. On tournament debut back in 2005, the tank top and three-quarter-length trousers clad teenager stormed to his maiden major in the French capital.

The head-turning performances meant he lost just one set en route to the semi-finals. On his 19th birthday he met a certain Roger Federer in the last four and confirmed his arrival at the top table with a blazing 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.

"It's a dream come true to win on my first appearance here," said Nadal, shortly after receiving the trophy from French icon Zinedine Zidane in 2005.

"These moments are very strong and when you reach your goal, it's an extraordinary moment. For the first time, I cried after winning a match. It has never happened to me before."

Roll into 2006-2008 and Nadal dismissed Federer in all three finals as their rivalry was rising to era-defining levels. In fact, in 2008 Nadal also outgunned Djokovic 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(3) in the semi-finals. Ruthless, blistering, clay court tennis reimagined.

"Rafa has dominated this tournament like perhaps never before. Like Bjorn (Borg)," said Federer in 2008. "He dominated from the first point until the end. It’s the strongest Rafa that I’ve ever seen. Today he was just supreme."

The 2009 loss at the hands of a pedal-to-the-floor showing from Söderling was one of the biggest shocks the sport has ever seen. Nadal regained his crown the very next year, displacing the Swede in straight sets in the final. He told the crowd in French that it was "the most emotional day in my career."

The 2010 title lift signalled the start of five straight triumphs at Roland-Garros. An immense Djokovic denied him in 2015 (they had quite the collection of battles in Paris) and injury denied any significant progress in 2016. Again, Nadal did the hard graft, the painstaking rehab, rebuilt his game, adapted and ruled Roland-Garros with five titles between 2017-22.

There are too many moments, too many classic matches to try and summarise, the prolonged standing ovations at RG2024 and the Paris Olympics (also on Court Philippe-Chatrier) perfectly portrayed the unbreakable bond between Nadal and his beloved Roland-Garros.

"Without a doubt for me and I think for a lot of people who love the history of this sport, this is the best tournament of the world," said Nadal. “For me personally, it’s very difficult to describe the feelings that I have... I feel at home.

"It's difficult to understand some things, but for me, Roland-Garros is the most important tournament of my tennis career, and all the things that I lived there, enjoyed there, stays in my heart forever."