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Roland Garros has become one of the most prestigious tournaments in the history of tennis. Winning one of these Grand Slams is not within everyone's reach, but taking home the renowned Musketeers Cup is even more difficult than it may seem, even after winning the championship.
[Roland Garros Trophy: what it is made of and how much the Musketeers Cup weighs]
The clay of France does not crown just anyone and, although the winner can lift the trophy on it, the truth is that the tennis players who win the Roland Garros finale never take this award home. One more replica of these small ones, made annually, is delivered to the lucky ones, while the original cup remains in the office of the president of the French Tennis Federation.
However, there is one exception: Rafa Nadal is the only tennis player in the world who is in possession of the Roland Garros trophy.
But why does the Spanish tennis player have one of these exclusive trophies?
Why does Rafa Nadal own a Roland Garros trophy?
Despite the fact that Rafa Nadal is the tennis player who has won the most Roland Garros titles, with an incredible 13 awards, the Mallorcan was not able to take one of them home until 2017.
[What is Rafa Nadal's injury?]
He achieved it after beating Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the finale of Roland Garros 2017, the day on which he perfected what was then his tenth title in Paris.
It was then that the organization of the tournament decided to give him an exact copy of the Musketeers Cup and not a smaller replica as had been done until then. It was the first time in history that a tennis player won the Paris trophy.
The person in charge of giving him that award was his uncle and then coach, Toni Nadal. In addition, the tennis player was honored after the meeting with a video with the stellar moments of his career at Roland Garros.
A special moment between @RafaelNadal & Uncle Toni.
A replica of the Coupe des Mousquetaires. #RG17#LaDecimapic.twitter.com/kKfCqRqpXO
– Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2017
