It is an immense, imposing, colossal work.
Worthy of the exploits and works accomplished by Rafael Nadal on Parisian clay.
Winner 13 times of the tournament, the Spanish player inaugurated, this Thursday, a statue with his effigy.
This was installed near the new “General Public” entrance and the Jardin des Mousquetaires.
Made by his compatriot Jordi Díez Fernandez, the stainless steel statue - as Nadal seems to be - measures 3 meters in height, 4.89 meters in width and 2 meters in depth.
The Ocher King appears as a Terminator slamming a powerful forehand.
His lethal weapon on clay.
"The Roland-Garros tournament wished to honor, this year, he who wrote one, if not the most beautiful page in its history," said the French Federation in a press release.
A moment unlike any other for our greatest champion 😮 # RolandGarros |
@RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/ioi1UbnfG4
- Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2021
The Spanish artist, Gilles Moretton, the president of the French Tennis Federation, and Guy Forget, the tournament director, were in the front row to attend the ceremony.
"I want to thank the French Tennis Federation and Roland Garros for wanting to put a statue of me in such an important place in sport," said the person in an interview with AFP.
Also thank the current president, and the previous one for promoting this idea.
Here I feel at home.
I thank all the people who work at Roland Garros, who make me feel happy there, that I feel one of them, and that when I arrive here, I feel a special joy.
"
It looks good, no?
😍 # RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/pIfHucH77T
- Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2021
It is a rare, unique tribute that the Mallorcan received.
Because if this is not the first statue to be installed in the aisles of Roland Garros - where Suzanne Lenglen, the four Musketeers (Borotra, Brugnon, Cochet and Lacoste) and Roland Garros are also represented in recent weeks - that of Nadal was inaugurated during her lifetime.
"Ultimately it's true that what I accomplished in Paris, even if I don't like to say that, it's something very, very special," Nadal continues to AFP.
I am grateful and I understand the gesture: I accomplished something that was very difficult to imagine.
"
Since his first participation at Roland Garros in 2005, Nadal has won 13 trophies in as many finals contested. Although placed in the same part of the table as Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, the Spaniard will try this year to add a new Musketeers Cup to his incredible list of achievements. A new coronation at Porte d'Auteuil would also allow him to become the first player to win 21 Grand Slam titles.