Rafael Nadal played his first game at ‘bullring’ court on May 23, 2005, against German Lars Burgsmuller
The historic bull ring where Rafael Nadal made his name at Roland Garros has been demolished.
There is no trace of what was the third stadium of the Grand Slam tournament, which has now been replaced by Simonne-Mathieu court.
The clay-court track which was released last year has now become the third most important stadium after Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen, where Roland Garros events are normally held.
Meanwhile, court 1, where Nadal played his first game back on May 23, 2005, with German Lars Burgsmuller has now been demolished. Unlike the other courts which have been named after famous tennis celebrities like Chartier, Lenglen and Simonne-Mathieu, this one never bore any mythical name of French tennis.
This was the court where all the members of the Navy played and was nicknamed the ‘bullring’ because of its circular shape. The renovations at Roland Garros continue at the Bois de Boulogne facilities with a view to improving the tournament.
This is majorly done keeping in mind the preparations for this year’s upcoming Grand Slam event which has now been postponed to September due to the coronavirus crisis and for the upcoming 2024 Olympics.
“I don’t believe in looking for new normality”
Meanwhile, a 12-time record Grand Slam winner at Roland Garros, Nadal was of the opinion that though he had to accept the new normality after coronavirus crisis, it was not something that he believed in.
“I imagine the tracks and the full stadiums, which is how I like to see them. You have to be patient and find the medicine, but I don’t believe in looking for new normality. The new normality will be the one that we accept,” Nadal said in a video.
“We like to see people, hug each other, share with people … and we have to look for this again. We cannot settle for just eternally complying with distancing measures,” he continued.
Dubbed the ‘King of Clay’ due to his unprecedented dominance on the clay-court surface, Roland Garros is Nadal’s favourite Grand Slam tournament where he has won the maximum number of titles.
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