The French Open organization had all the intentions of playing the slam with a decent crowd. However, the dream was shattered by the spike in the infections in France and therefore only 1,000 people are now allowed to be on the Roland Garros premises. This small number of people is definitely not much for such a big area and therefore it still feels playing without fans.
Elina Svitolina has already played 3 matches so far and she has a good feeling about the atmosphere at the Roland Garros.
Svitolina agreeing with Nadal: it has to be sad
During a recent press conference, Svitolina was asked what the sensation about playing without fans is. Elina admitted that even if she is thrilled about playing a slam, she is definitely missing the fans. She also added that she agrees with Rafael Nadal that recently said that playing without fans is sad, but probably it is right that it has to be like this during these tough moments.
“Well, it’s not easy to play without the people. And as I saw one of the press conference that Rafael Nadal said, very smart, cool, that the world now is sad, as well. So it should be kind of like this,” said Svitolina.
Then she added: “It is sad to play without the people. It’s not as enjoyable, I would say. For sure we are playing the Grand Slam, we are playing Roland Garros, which is for me always very special to play in Suzanne Lenglen, Chatrier, as well, any court, really. This really makes you feel special, I would say. And to go far in the tournament also it gives you confidence and really enjoyable moments.”
Svitolina also talked about the importance that the fans can have in a match:
“I really love to play in front of many people, big stadiums. I think they really push you to play better, to compete better. That’s why I think now these days some players can struggle. You know, they can play really good one set and then go away maybe mentally.
So this, you know, you have to expect this can happen. For example, if you look in my second round I played, lost the second set like in 10 minutes. To be fair, still I didn’t find the reason why it happened.”
Svitolina at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Ranked world no.5, the Ukrainian has a 20-7 win-loss record in 2020. Elina is currently playing at the French Open where she beat Varvara Gracheva 7-62 6-4, Renata Zarazua 6-3 0-6 6-2 and Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4 7-5.
Svitolina has won 2 titles in 2020 in Monterrey and in Strasbourg.
Elina won 15 titles in her career: 8 on hard courts, 5 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
Nadal at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Currently the world no.2, the Spaniard has a 17-4 win-loss record in 2020. Rafael is currently competing at the French Open where he bested Egor Gerasimov 6-4 6-4 6-2 and Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-1 6-0 6-3.
Rafael Nadal will fight against Travaglia in the 3rd round. In the past, they have never competed against each other as of now in top tournaments.
Nadal clinched 1 title in 2020 in Acapulco.
Rafael won 85 titles in his career: 21 on hard courts, 59 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
