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Clay is the natural surface for Spanish players, with about 100,000 courts across the country – most small villages have them.<\/p>\n
So it is not surprising that Nadal emerged as the latest in a long line of Spanish success – albeit far more sustained than his predecessors – at Roland Garros.<\/p>\n
Nadal’s 14 wins, plus triumphs for Sergi Bruguera (two), Carlos Moya, Albert Costa and Juan Carlos Ferrero, means the nation has accounted for 19 of the past 30 men’s champions.<\/p>\n
Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time major winner who is the Spanish heir apparent to Nadal, is expected to add to that in the coming years.<\/p>\n
Wandering around Court Philippe Chatrier – particularly before Nadal played a French Open final – felt like being outside the Santiago Bernabeu in the build-up to a big Real Madrid match.<\/p>\n
Spanish speakers can be heard everywhere, chattering about the prospect of seeing one of the nation’s favourite sons creating more history.<\/p>\n
Splashes of red and yellow are ubiquitous on flags, football kits and hats. Super-fans wear Nadal-branded ‘raging bull’ hats and t-shirts.<\/p>\n
Ferrero, the 2001 champion, says it feels like a home from home.<\/p>\n
“Roland Garros is the closest Grand Slam and the fact that it is held on clay makes it even closer to Spain,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The fact that Spanish players have won it a lot, and especially thanks to Nadal, [means] tennis fans relate Roland Garros with good moments for Spanish tennis.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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