Just outside Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland Garros, the wheelchair tennis venue for Paris 2024, stands a statue of the man known as the King. Rafael Nadal has won 14 French Open titles and is inspiring the Spanish contingent as they prepare for the competition in Paris.

Nadal’s influence on Spanish tennis is great, but the love affair with Roland Garros is eternal. Juan Carlos Ferrero, his predecessor as poster boy of Spain, won there in 2003, while Carlos Alcaraz, the current hero under Ferrero’s guidance, is the reigning champion.

There are three Spanish contenders for the Paralympics: Daniel Caverzaschi, Martin de la Puente and Enrique Siscar Mosquer. The significance of their surroundings and the reputation of the legend that made the place his own is not lost on them.

“Roland Garros is iconic for Spanish players,” said Caverzaschi.

“It’s nice to play here, there are so many role models who have won here in the past. Rafa is my main role model in the sport.

“The way he plays, the style; I can’t compare myself at all, but I’m also left-handed, there are similarities that I’ve tried to learn from Rafa.”

Nadal, now 38, may have made his final Roland Garros appearance after being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the doubles event alongside Alcaraz. The pair were affectionately known as ‘Nadalcaz’.

“It was pretty cool,” Caverzaschi said. “There was a huge hype around it in Spain. It was fun to watch. They lost to a good doubles team, specialists. It was normal that they could lose. We thought there would be an epic comeback in true Rafa style, but we loved watching it.”

Return from career-threatening injury

The hunt for medals resonates even more with Caverzaschi than usual. After returning from a hell of injuries, including three wrist surgeries, and battling the possibility of forced retirement, the 31-year-old is feeling confident.

He continued: “It’s very emotional for me – I haven’t played here since 2022, I was injured for a year and a half. Coming back here, it’s been a really good year; I’m playing really well, I like the courts, I like the clay. I’m really looking forward to it.

“This is the best comeback I could have wished for. I feel like I can beat anyone. I have to manage expectations, ideally the Games are next year. I want to continue like this, if I play well I can do great things. Why not dream big? I hope for a medal in singles or doubles.”

Clay courts are the basis for Spanish dominance in Paris. Caverzaschi says that tennis is taught to Spanish players in a way that maximizes the surface.

“A lot of tennis academies have clay courts; we are used to it. We don’t have grass courts – in my academy in Barcelona they are all clay. Several players came to train with me in the summer, it is similar to what we have in Paris. Clay suits a style that is rougher and more physical, it suits intensive players who like to grind from the baseline.

“Tennis has been taught that way for a long time. The other factor is Rafa and what he has done for all of us.”

Making the difference

Wheelchair tennis, and the Paralympic movement in general, is still fighting for recognition. Caverzaschi, who has expressed a strong passion for the subject, is trying to bring about his own change.

“Last year I started a marketing company that specializes in adaptive sports,” he said.

“I think there is huge potential for commercial enterprises to connect with athletes and campaigns in disabled sport.

“It was tough – we changed our strategy because we learned from our mistakes. I founded it with my best friend, it’s special to create it with him.

“A lot of people don’t understand the terminology, they don’t want to offend, so we want to do the work and create the content for them. I think it’s great, there’s so much potential, but there’s so much education we have to do. We have to challenge an old way of thinking, but I love the challenge.”

Caverzaschi’s first Games were in London in 2012. He says this was a pivotal moment for the movement and that other countries should learn from it.

“Perceptions changed there; disability was completely normalised after the Games,” he explained. “The UK is a role model for the whole world; in Spain it’s better. We’re seen as top athletes, institutions are more supportive. There’s definitely an evolution, but there’s still a long way to go.”

After “dark moments” during his recovery from the injury, Caverzaschi is feeling good again. But given what he’s been through and where he is, he’s taking a philosophical approach to his performance in the coming weeks.

“There were times when I had done everything I was supposed to do, every routine or operation, and I still needed more, when I became angry, sad or frustrated.

“Dark thoughts crept in, but I’m proud of how I’ve persevered over the past two years. There were doubts about whether I could compete at a professional level and here I am. The best is yet to come. But I have to enjoy my fourth Paralympic Games and a place like Roland Garros.”

Inspiration is everywhere for the Spanish wheelchair tennis stars, who hope to use it to make it a golden summer.