We see Rafael Nadal greeting the public at the Philippe-Chatrier court one last time after a defeat against Alexander Zverev. “Its cast shadow follows exactly the shape of light created by a ray of sunlight,” depicts Lionel Hahn. This photographer, specializing in sports, has traveled the fields, swimming pools and tracks around the world for the needs of his profession. After twenty years spent in America, Lionel Hahn returned to live in his native Périgord.
“In 2023, I wanted to return to Roland-Garros,” says Périgordin. My goal was to summarize a match in one photo, which I did with Novak Djokovic. In 2024, the French Tennis Federation asked me to repeat the same shot for Nadal’s last matches. I was at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, I went back through Périgord to pick up my things then headed to Paris on Monday. »
18 h 30
Nadal inherited a big piece in the first round, Alexander Zverev. Installed at the top of the stand, the camera fixed on a tripod, Lionel Hahn sees the Majorcan struggling like a devil. “It was raining, so they had the roof down. The place where I was turned out to be the best place,” explains the photographer. It’s 6:30 p.m., the match is over and the clouds are clearing. “I saw the light pass through the accordion roof system and spots of light appeared on the court,” adds the Périgordin.
