French Open: ‘Nice gesture from Rafa’ – Boy surprises Nadal in ‘very special’ moment after match in Paris

There was an unexpected and heartwarming moment after Rafael Nadal sealed his comfortable progression through to the fourth round of the French Open at Roland-Garros.

It was a very fine display from the King of Clay as he continues his march towards what he hopes will be a 22nd Grand Slam singles title having already triumphed at Melbourne Park earlier this year.

As he clinched the victory over the 26th seed, Nadal was unexpectedly greeted by a young boy on the court as he was putting his racquets away and gathering himself by his bench on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

Eurosport’s Tim Henman observed that it was not the kind of thing you often see on a show court at a Grand Slam – despite it being a nice encounter which the Parisian crowd enjoyed.

“Yeah, I think Rafa was probably a bit surprised as it’s not what you’re expecting,” Henman noted in the Eurosport Cube.

“He [the security guard] is thinking, ‘wow, I haven’t quite done my job’. But I think the kid was probably looking for a souvenir, asking for a racquet or a wristband or something.

“But it’s not necessarily what you expect to see on one of the show courts at a Grand Slam.”

Barbara Schett added: “It was a funny moment at the end of the match after they [Nadal and Van de Zandschlup] shook hands, there was a little boy running towards Rafa Nadal.

“I don’t know how he got there, but it was a nice gesture there from Rafa. Very cute to see. A very special moment.”

Having sealed victory over Van de Zandschulp, it was the 301st of Nadal’s career at Grand Slams, and the 35-year-old joked that it showed his age.

“It shows two things when you achieve these numbers,” Nadal said. “The first one is you are very old.

“The second is that I have had a great career. I am happy with how things have happened in my tennis career.

“I have had tough moments with injuries, but I have enjoyed great experiences in my life because of tennis.

“I feel fortunate to be able to enjoy a lot of things that I could never dream about.”

The Spaniard will next take on Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in the fourth round, with the rising star from Canada coached by Nadal’s uncle Toni.

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