Rafael Nadal is one of the most loved tennis players in history. The Spanish sensation has been entertaining the fans for a couple of decades with his muscular tennis and immense passion for the sport. The Mallorcan loves playing in packed arenas and he shares Roger Federer’s doubts about having tennis back without fans.
Recently, Roger revealed that it could not see him playing in a stadium without fans, and Rafa can’t disagree with that. When talking with Barbara Schett on Eurosport, Rafa commented.
“Well, for me it is always the feeling of competing in front of the people. The feeling when you go out and see a full crowd supporting, screaming. That’s always for me the most special feeling. That’s the main thing.”
Unfortunately, Nadal conceded that there is a strong possibility that when tennis resumes, they are going to play in empty stadiums, and he doesn’t like it.
“Coming back without a crowd I think will be tough and strange. Hopefully, it will not happen, but sadly we will probably have to do it that way. Well, I am not okay with playing without fans. I want to play with the fans,” he commented.
However, Rafa had to admit that he may need to adapt to the current situation hoping that fans will be back as soon as possible.
“But if the situation is not allowing to play with fans, like everybody, I will adapt to the situation. Of course, I hope that the situation improves and I really hope that we will be able to play with fans very, very soon because tennis and sport without the fans lose every single thing.”
"Tennis without fans loses almost every single thing"@RafaelNadal tells us he is not looking forward to playing in empty stadiums pic.twitter.com/UjRDKxMKr7
— Eurosport (@eurosport) June 4, 2020
Nadal and the Roland Garros
Rafa has recently said that he will be happy to play the Roland Garros if that can be staged following all the safety measures and all players will be allowed to compete. Nadal will have to defend a lot of points in September if tennis resumes on the occasion of the US Open. Last year he won the major in New York, the Internazionali d’Italia (scheduled after the US Open) and the Roland Garros. All 3 tournaments should take place in back to back weeks this year. For this reason, it would not be too strange if Nadal renounces playing the US Open to focus on the Roland Garros.
Rafael Nadal in 2020
Currently ranked no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 29th of February when he overcame Taylor Fritz 6-3 6-2 in the final in Acapulco to win his 85th career title.
At present, this year Nadal has a 13-3 win-loss record. Nadal conquered 1 title in Acapulco.
