"People didn't want to see Rafael Nadal win so much"- Uncle Toni on Spaniard's complex relationship with French Open crowd despite massive success
Rafael Nadal will end his career with 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open crowns. By the end of it, the Spaniard had become synonymous with the French Open, given his domination at the tournament.
Uncle Toni Nadal, however, recalled his nephew’s complex relationship with the French Open crowd, saying they were not always on his side despite him having won the trophy all but once between 2005-2015 (the exception being the 2009 French Open). The fans, he said, grew to like Nadal more towards the latter part of his career.
"The first year, I had no animosity. I think later when he started winning so much, people didn't want to see him win so much," Nadal's uncle Toni said.
Toni, however, noted that the French Open crown eventually began enjoying Rafael's presence. He, according to Toni, was able to win the Parisian crowd over with his nice on-court behaviour.
"In the end, the French public surrendered to Rafael's behaviour because, in life, it's not just about winning; it's about how you win."
"I think Rafael did that very well, and that's why there was a change in France, to the point of seeing the recognition they gave him at the Olympics."
Nadal played 116 matches at the French Open, winning 112 and losing just four, giving him a win percentage of 97%.
14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal to end his career at Davis Cup Finals
Rafael Nadal will end his illustrious career at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, scheduled to be played later this month. He will be representing team Spain along with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal has been a part of the Spanish Davis Cup team on numerous occasions, even helping his nation lift the trophy on four occasions (2004, 2009, 2011, and 2019).
The Spaniard has battled injuries in recent years and has not been able to play on Tour consistently enough. He last lifted a Grand Slam title at the 2022 French Open, beating Casper Ruud in the final. The win helped him extend his record to 14 trophies in Paris.
Nadal played at the 2024 French Open but did not get his fairytale ending, instead crashing out in the opening round. He battled hard but came up short against eventual finalist Alexander Zverev, who won 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3.