Former seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander recalled a Rafael Nadal locker room story that happened around 10 years ago. Wilander heard music in the locker room and he thought it was Nadal. After realizing that indeed it was Nadal, Wilander was interested in what kind of music the Spaniard was listening to.
“I was next to him in the locker rooms at Roland Garros, maybe 10 years ago, and I was hearing music. I was getting ready to play a legends doubles. I was hearing this music, and I was like, ‘Oh it’s Rafa ‘and I would love to know what kind of music he was listening to because it seems like it has to be techno and hyped up and he’s standing like this (Wilander bouncing on his feet) and he’s swinging or whatever.
And eventually I heard it and it was some sort of Spanish romantic flamenco music and I just melted … he’s getting excited, the music was as relaxing as anything, “Wilander said on Eurosport, according to Ravi Ubha.
Mats Wilander on Eurosport recounting a story about Rafael Nadal at the French Open 🎵 pic.twitter.com/HECD21XXqO – Ravi Ubha (@raviubha) February 2, 2022
Nadal aims for a 14th French Open title
Nadal has had a dream start to the 2022 season as he captured the Melbourne Summer Set title in his first tournament in five months.
Nadal then conquered Melbourne Park as he won a record 21st Grand Slam title after beating Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final. Nadal now has 21 Grand Slams in his collection, while Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer remained each at 20 Majors.
Nadal did not win last year’s French Open as he was beaten by Djokovic in the semifinals. Nadal was hampered by a foot injury during the French Open and he ended up skipping Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics after the French Open. Nadal is healthy again and he will be a top favorite to win his 22nd Grand Slam at this year’s French Open.