French Open: 'Nice gesture from Rafa' - Boy surprises Nadal in 'very special' moment after match in Paris

There was an unexpected and heartwarming moment after Rafael Nadal sealed his comfortable progression through to the fourth round of the French Open at Roland-Garros. Nadal delivered a statement performance to storm past Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 6-2 6-4 to reach the fourth round at the tournament he has won a staggering 13 times in his illustrious career.

Ad/> It was a very fine display from the King of Clay as he continues his march towards what he hopes will be a 22nd Grand Slam singles title having already triumphed at Melbourne Park earlier this year. /> Roland-Garros'Rafa surprised!' — Watch as boy runs on court to greet Nadal after matchAN HOUR AGO As he clinched the victory over the 26th seed, Nadal was unexpectedly greeted by a young boy on the court as he was putting his racquets away and gathering himself by his bench on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

Eurosport's Tim Henman observed that it was not the kind of thing you often see on a show court at a Grand Slam — despite it being a nice encounter which the Parisian crowd enjoyed. «Yeah, I think Rafa was probably a bit surprised as it’s not what you're expecting,» Henman noted in the Eurosport Cube.

“He [the security guard] is thinking, 'wow, I haven’t quite done my job'. But I think the kid was probably looking for a souvenir, asking for a racquet or a wristband or something.