FRENCH OPEN 2024: RAFAEL NADAL’S FAREWELL CANCELLED BY TOURNAMENT ORGANISERS AFTER SPANIARD SUGGESTS FUTURE BACKTRACK
The record 14-time Roland-Garros winner Rafael Nadal stated earlier this year that he had “a big, big chance” of retiring from the French Open in 2024. The competition decided to plan a send-off as a result. These preparations have since been abandoned, though, since Rafael Nadal—who faces Alexander Zverev in the opening round—announced on Saturday that he was still unsure about his future.
Following the postponed French Open goodbye ceremony, Rafael Nadal arrives for practice.
The French Open goodbye ceremony for Rafael Nadal has been canceled after the Spaniard seemed to retract his earlier declaration that this year’s competition would be his final.
Record 14-time Roland-Garros champion Rafael Nadal has previously expressed skepticism about returning to the Paris dirt, stating that there was “a big, big chance” that the French Open in 2024 might be his final competition.
Speaking on Saturday, however, ahead of his first-round match against Alexander Zverev, the fourth seed, the Spaniard questioned his prior statement and acknowledged that he was unsure about his future.
It’s likely that this will be Nadal’s final Roland-Garros, but he said, “I can’t predict what’s going to happen, so if I have to tell you it’s 100% my last Roland-Garros, I’m sorry, but I will not.”
“I seem to be feeling better now after going through a protracted recovery process from a very difficult injury that lasted nearly two years.”I don’t react in a certain way just because I lost there or somewhere else. I respond based on my feelings, which are definitely better now than they were a month and a half ago.
“Therefore, I’m not entirely comfortable closing the door.”
“Ready for a hard fight” Zverev and Nadal’s first-round match
Roland-Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo was eager to allow the Spaniard as much time as necessary to come to a decision.
As you might guess, we had something planned for him, but he mentioned [on Saturday]—in fact, he informed us earlier today—that he wasn’t sure if it would be his final Roland-Garros.
“He wants to give himself the option to return as a player the following year. Therefore, we won’t pressure him to take any action. When he feels ready for a formal ceremony, farewell, or goodbye, it is his choice. Thus, we will not be doing it this year.That’s his wish, and while we’re prepared to press the trigger and make it happen, we will definitely honor his wishes and make sure we’re prepared whenever he feels like it—later this year, next year, or whenever he wants.
Alcaraz is happy to have avoided Nadal in the French Open opening round.
22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal is back on the tour in Barcelona following a “micro tear” that forced him to miss the Australian Open at the Brisbane International in January. Nadal has struggled with injuries both this year and last.
The ‘King of Clay’ suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Alex de Minaur in Barcelona, but he exacted revenge on the Australian in Madrid, defeating him in the second round before to retiring to Jiri Lehecka. Then in Rome, the hard-hitting Pole Hubert Hurkacz defeated him.
