Rafael Nadal would have played for history at Roland Garros this month.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion could have equaled 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer's major record by defending his Roland Garros crown.
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The French Open moved from its scheduled May start date to September 20th due to the coronavirus crisis.
During a chat with Daniela Hantuchova for the Roland Garros YouTube Channel, Nadal was asked his message for fans.
The 12-time Roland Garros champion advises patience, perseverance and spending plenty of time with family and friends during this time.
“It’s the moment to learn how to enjoy in a different way, in my opinion," Nadal said at about the 6:30 mark of the video below. "I try to enjoy a little bit smaller things like being with the family, staying with the friends, enjoying a little bit the nature,
"We have to enjoy now, another things that of course for us are a little bit different because we are consumers. So we want to consume football, we want to consume tennis, we want to consume cinema, entertainment in general."
The 34-year-old Spaniard said a sense of calm is key during these chaotic times.
“But today we need to stay with calm, to do the things the right way and of course be patient," Nadal said. "That doesn’t mean just wait until the situation improves.
"Of course, we need to find solutions. Of course, we need to adapt to the times. I’m sure that’s the things that are going to happen. We’re going to make that happen and we are going to come back soon.”
Photo credit: Christopher Levy