Entering a little more into the legend of tennis by winning his 14th crown at Roland-Garros, Rafael Nadal made, unsurprisingly, the front page of the Spanish press on Monday.
The national hero, originally from Majorca, became "
Rafael XIV, the sun king
", according to the daily
AS,
in reference to the famous king of France.
It must be said that the feat is monumental and that at least this gratification was needed for the one who has filled his compatriots with happiness since his professional debut in 2001. In its subtitle, which contextualizes Nadal's victory against Casper Ruud on Sunday afternoon,
AS
is not shy to recall that its king now holds two Grand Slams (22) more than Federer and Djokovic, his lifelong rivals.
AS
concludes with a quote from Rafa:
“I don't know what will happen in the future, I will continue to fight.
I never thought I'd be here at 36 being competitive."
To discover
Roland Garros men's singles
Roland Garros single ladies
The front page of this Monday, June 6, 2022, from the Spanish newspaper
As
.
Screenshot Ace
Read alsoRoland-Garros: boss Iga Swiatek always wants more
The other Madrid sports daily
Marca
relied on humor to show that the performance of its Spanish giant is quite simply stratospheric.
The newspaper offers on its front page a list of things that have changed since 2005 (date of Nadal's first Roland-Garros coronation), and affirms below:
"There is only one thing that does not change: Rafa wins still."
The front page of this Monday, June 6, 2022, from the Spanish newspaper
Marca
.
Marca Screenshot
“Nadal, the legend continues”,
headlines
El Pais
.
As usual, the Spanish generalist newspaper remains sober, but does not fail to recall Rafa's power on French soil.
"The Spanish tennis player easily won against Casper Ruud, and won his 14th title at Roland-Garros, where he never lost in the final."
Classic.
Efficient.
The front page of this Monday, June 6, 2022, from the Spanish newspaper
El Pais
.
Screenshot El Pais
El Mundo Deportivo
chose to publish a full-page photo of Nadal.
We see him with his eyes closed, head pointing towards the sky of Paris, preparing to lift his 14th Porte d'Auteuil trophy.
The Catalan sports daily simply added the two key figures for Nadal's victory: 22 (for his number of Grand Slams), and 14 (for his number of victories at Roland).
“He confirms his status as the best tennis player in history,” says
El Mundo Deportivo
quite objectively
in its main subtitle.
Read alsoIn Images: the crazy odyssey of Rafael Nadal, the extraterrestrial landlord of Roland-Garros
The front page of this Monday, June 6, 2022, from the Spanish newspaper
El Mundo Deportivo
.
Screenshot El Mundo Deportivo
Same thing in
ABC
with a full-page photo of Rafael Nadal lifting the Musketeers cup.
ABC
is also sober with very little text.
Simply,
“Nadal is unique.
He won his 14th Roland-Garros and his 22nd Grand Slam in Paris, the sign of an endless champion.
The front page of this Monday, June 6, 2022, from the Spanish newspaper
ABC
ABC screenshot
In Spain, Nadal is a king, in France he is an immense champion adored by the public.
His mark at Roland-Garros will forever be sealed in the clay court of Philippe-Chatrier.
The Spaniard is of course on the front page of
L'Équipe
on Monday, June 6 with a pun,
"For the
earth
nité"
.
The front page of this Monday, June 6, 2022, from the newspaper
L'Équipe
Screenshot L'Equipe
“
Exceptional Rafael Nadal!
, finally headlines
Le Figaro
.
With now 22 Grand Slam titles to his credit, Rafael Nadal is still anchored a little more in the legend of his sport, which he does not wish to leave, despite his weakened body
.
The front page of Le Figaro this Monday, June 6 Le Figaro