Rafael Nadal‘s statue at Roland-Garros isn’t just a tribute to the king of clay—it’s becoming a pop culture icon in its own right.
This towering figure of Nadal’s signature forehand is now crossing over from the tennis courts to the small screen, making a cameo in none other than the hit show Emily in Paris.
Yes, Nadal’s immortalized figure has found its way into the glitzy world of French rom-com drama, adding a little Grand Slam flair to the Parisian backdrop.
The Nadal Statue
Unveiled in 2021, the 3-meter-tall stainless-steel statue was crafted by artist Jordi Díez Fernandez to honor Nadal’s unparalleled dominance on the Parisian clay.
With 14 French Open titles under his belt, it’s only fitting that his powerful forehand, the stroke that terrorized opponents, is frozen in time just outside the gates of Roland-Garros.
It is one of those strokes that the entire tennis fraternity will remember from the top of their minds. Anyone with French Open tickets during the 2005-2015 era would recollect this masterpiece on the court, winning countless points.
Standing next to the Jardin des Mousquetaires, Nadal’s monument welcomes tennis lovers and fans as they step onto the grounds of tennis history.
But Nadal’s reign over Roland-Garros transcends the sport. Netflix gave the Spanish legend a moment in the spotlight in the fourth season of Emily in Paris, where Nadal’s statue appears as part of a tennis-themed montage.
Filming at Court Philippe-Chatrier, the show pays homage to the French Open, and of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the tournament’s greatest champion.
This isn’t the first time tennis has flirted with Hollywood. From Zendaya’s Challengers raking in over $94 million worldwide to Netflix’s Break Point offering a behind-the-scenes peek into the world of professional tennis, the sport is leaving its mark on pop culture.
When it comes to tennis legends, Nadal’s name is synonymous with the French Open, a tournament where he has carved his legacy into the clay itself.
From movies to TV shows, the intersection of tennis and entertainment is growing stronger every year. But at Roland-Garros, it’s still Rafa’s house, and now he’s got the statue (and a Netflix cameo) to prove it.
Deep Ties with Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal has frequently expressed his sincere appreciation for the affection and assistance he receives in Paris, particularly at Roland Garros. In May, he revealed to the media how much power and motivation he gets from those with French Open tickets. He made it clear that he has a particular place in his heart for the French Open.
In addition, he also reflected peacefully on his career following an unexpected first-round elimination at the 2024 French Open.
“If it’s the last time that I played here, I am at peace with myself,” he remarked with a smile, embracing the possibility of it being his final appearance at Roland Garros.
With 14 victories, Nadal has left an enduring legacy at the French Open. He is the most successful player in the competition’s history and inextricably linked to the clay courts of Paris.
However, after the Olympics in France, Nadal hinted that he would still have the legs to continue for another season and hopefully mark a return to the Roland Garros.
Nick Kyrgios Laughs at Sinner after Doping Controversy
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios, a 2022 Wimbledon finalist, remains skeptical about Italian Jannik Sinner’s victory at the 2024 US Open.
Jannik Sinner won the US Open, the penultimate Grand Slam, defeating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.
Sinner went on to win his second Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, earlier this year.
Kyrgios did not make a separate post regarding Sinner’s title but expressed support for American Taylor Fritz, who lost in the final.
Later, he commented on a tweet by British journalist Piers Morgan, who shared a post about Sinner’s victory with an ironic remark referencing his two failed doping tests.
Kyrgios replied to Morgan’s tweet with irony, writing, ” For the first time in history! We are witnessing greatness!” and adding emojis of a man shrugging and yawning.
Previously, Jannik Sinner acknowledged two failed doping tests but managed to avoid suspension.
In light of this, the ATP made an official statement. Kyrgios criticized the investigation surrounding Sinner and stated that he should have been banned for two years.
TNT Signs Up as Broadcast for the Decade
This is good news for fans who cannot attend the tournament physically with French Open tickets, as TNT Sport will be Roland Garros’s dedicated broadcasting partner in the next few years.
TNT Sports, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery, said Tuesday it has reached a 10-year agreement with the French Tennis Federation to broadcast the Roland-Garros tennis tournament in the US starting from 2025.
The deal includes featured live matches to be broadcast on TNT, with additional live coverage across TBS and truTV—both owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.
As part of the agreement, in-depth highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, and ancillary content will air across all platforms.
“Roland-Garros perfectly aligns with our global sports strategy and our commitment to adding premium live sports content to our TNT Sports portfolio,” TNT Sports Chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser said in a statement.
Gilles Moretton, president of the French Tennis Federation, said the deal will allow the federation to ensure maximum exposure for Roland-Garros in the US and help further promote the tournament.
Warner Bros. Discovery owns Eurosport, which has been broadcasting the event to 55 countries outside the US since 1989.
When social media and OTT platforms are buzzing, the boost from Eurosport will allow more fans to access the games and be motivated to visit the courts with French Open tickets.
Roland-Garros, also known as the French Open, is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament in the world held on a clay surface. It takes place in Paris, France, over two weeks starting in late May every year.
“With 4 million players and one million members in nearly 7,500 clubs, tennis is France’s leading individual sport,” said the statement.
According to several media outlets, the deal is estimated to be worth $650 million over ten years.