PARIS — As the French Open ushers in a new chapter sans Rafael Nadal this year, the tennis world is experiencing mixed emotions.
Nadal, who has come to be revered as the “King of Clay,” will be absent from the red courts of Roland-Garros, where his dominance led him to win a record-setting 14 of his 22 Grand Slam crowns. There’s a sense of regret that fans won’t witness his unique style characterized by powerful topspin and relentless vigor.
However, for many aspiring champions, the absence of the 38-year-old Spaniard, now retired, presents a fresh opportunity to carve out their own legacy on these iconic courts.
American tennis player Tommy Paul, a semifinalist in the 2023 Australian Open and now ranked 12th, remarked, “Luckily—or unluckily—I never got to play him at Roland-Garros.” With a chuckle, he mused, “It’s nice to not have to worry about him, I guess. That’s the main thing that comes to my mind.”
The word “different” seems to encapsulate the sentiments surrounding this change among players. Italian tennis star and top-10 player Lorenzo Musetti, who advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals and won an Olympic bronze medal in 2024, said, “It’ll be strange for the fans, above all. But the history he made in Paris will never be forgotten.”
Nadal’s achievements at the French Open stand unparalleled; his dominance was indeed unprecedented. “Impossible to repeat,” noted Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion. Winning more titles in Paris than any player at a single major, Nadal’s journey from securing his first championship two days post his 19th birthday in 2005 to clinching his last at 36 in 2022, is the stuff of legends. Across those years, he compiled an incredible 112-4 record.
Nadal’s prowess is also evident in his head-to-head records against tennis titans Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, where he went 8-2 against Djokovic and 6-0 against Federer at the French Open, underscoring his unmatched ability. Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis referred to Nadal as, “What a legend. What an ambassador for the sport. One of the greatest athletes ever—not just in tennis.”
In tribute to his extraordinary contributions, Nadal will be celebrated with a special ceremony at the French Open on Sunday. This event will occur at Court Philippe-Chatrier following the first three matches of Day 1, where a large statue erected in his honor in 2021 warmly welcomes attendees.
One can anticipate that Nadal will once again receive enthusiastic applause and poignant “Ra-fa!” chants, reminiscent of his final match at the site during the Paris Olympics last year. His unforgettable forehand, distinctive return stance, tireless pursuit of the ball, and penchant for biting his trophies after victories will be cherished memories.
Victoria Azarenka, a former No. 1 and two-time Australian Open champion, reflected, “As a tennis community, everybody’s going to miss Rafa, for sure. If I were thinking about it selfishly, I would say, ‘Of course I want to watch Rafa play. Of course, I want him to be here.’ But I see it a little bit differently. I look at it as that was his decision. Same with when Serena (Williams) left. Of course, I miss Serena; she was my biggest motivator. But they’ve moved on in their life to what’s best for them. And I just have so much respect for what they’ve done for the sport. How much they contributed. How much they elevated it. My only thing is to say, ‘Thank you,’ to players like that.”