Celebration wasn’t as cheerful as other victories – Rafael Nadal reveals why he didn’t enjoy French Open win

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal created history as he won his 13th French Open title. Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the final and continued his supremacy at the Roland Garros. In fact, this was the fourth time in Nadal’s career when he won a Grand slam title without even dropping a single set in the whole tournament.

The Spaniard also equalled Roger Federer’s tally of 20 Grand slam titles. However, it has been a tough year for everyone due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nadal revealed that his celebration wasn’t as cheerful as other victories due to the same reason as there had been so much sorrow due to the pandemic.

Furthermore, the Roland Garros was played behind closed doors and Nadal didn’t get the thrill of playing in front of a jam packed crowd. The crowd always plays a key role in motivating the players and they bring a different energy to the arenas.

Nadal added that the win mattered a lot to him both professionally and personally but the celebrations were subdued. 

“It was obviously a very important moment for me, professionally, and let’s be honest, personally as well. 

“It meant a lot for me to win again at Roland-Garros and reach the number of titles there that I did. But I also can’t deny the fact that in the end, the celebration wasn’t as cheerful as it was after my other victories,” Nadal said.

Nadal added that the French Open didn’t have the same intensity and joy as there was no crowd.

“The tournament didn’t have the same, let’s say, intensity and joy that you get from an animated crowd. 

“It’s also a fact that it took place during a time which was full of so much bad news, over the last few months (preceding the French Open), which meant that I wasn’t able to enjoy such an important victory,” the Spaniard said. 

Nadal will be now seen in action in the upcoming Australian Open and he will look to have another successful season.