What better way to celebrate Rafael Nadal’s unprecedented ninth French Open title than by creating a life-sized, clay statue in his honor? Well, I can probably think of a few ways, but Nike’s gesture is pretty cool nonetheless.

Nike unveiled the statue, made up of the crushed-brick material used on Nadal’s favorite courts, on Tuesday, two days after the world No. 1 defeated Novak Djokovic to win his fifth consecutive championship at Roland Garros.

Nine titles on this special clay. Honored @NikeTennis have made me from the same stuff. #endlesstennis #RG14! pic.twitter.com/fdXL6zeaq7 — Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 10, 2014

The statue will appear in a Nike store in Paris with a plaque reading “legends are made from different stuff.”

So what would have happened if Rafa had lost? And does anyone else think this sort of looks like Han Solo getting caught in the carbonite?



All I know is that if Roger Federer wins Wimbledon, there better be an Edward Scissorhands-like sculpture at the ready.