Rafael Nadal receives support from Spanish king Juan Carlos for French Open final

Spain's king Juan Carlos with Rafael Nadal

Paris, June 8 (IANS/EFE): Spain's monarch Juan Carlos showed his support for compatriot tennis great Rafael Nadal via a phone call ahead of the French Open men's singles final against Serb Novak Djokovic.

"I have just received a phone call from King Juan Carlos I. I appreciate the kindness and support I have always received from the Casa Real," the 28-year-old World No.1 posted on Twitter, reports EFE.

Acabo de recibir una llamada de apoyo del Rey Juan Carlos I. Agradezco mucho el cariño y apoyo que siempre recibo... http://t.co/ktfrqU5kHu

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 7, 2014

Nadal, who is seeking his ninth Ronald Garros title today, thanked King Juan Carlos for everything he did for his country when he abdicated June 2, leaving his son Crown Prince Felipe to take over.

Russia's Maria Sharapova clinched the women's singles title on Saturday after defeating her Romanian rival Simona Halep 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 in three hours and two minutes. This was the Russian's second title here after 2012.