Will we see Rafael Nadal again at Roland-Garros? Since 2005, the Spaniard has had a habit of celebrating his birthday every June 3 on his blessed land, where he has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam tournaments, the last last year at the expense of Norway's Casper Ruud in the final. But, barring a huge surprise, the Mallorcan will not blow out his 37 candles at the Porte d'Auteuil.
According to several Spanish media, including Marca, he will announce his withdrawal at a press conference, this Thursday at 16 pm, from his academy installed in the Balearic Islands, ten days before the start of the Parisian tournament.
Absent from the courts for four months
Diminished for years by various injuries, Nadal has not played competitively since his defeat, in three sets, in the 2nd round of the Australian Open, on January 18 against the modest American Mackenzie McDonald, then 65th in the world.
For four months now, the co-record holder of the number of Majors (joined in Melbourne this year by Novak Djokovic) has been trying to treat a recalcitrant psoas injury. In vain, since he accumulates tournament after tournament packages, and would not have presented any reference this year if he had appeared on the Philippe-Chatrier court, from May 28. Beyond his absence at Roland-Garros, his future on the courts is dotted line.
A tournament for once very open
With the more than likely forfeit of its undisputed king and the misform of Novak Djokovic, the Parisian Major promises for once to be very open. Carlos Alcaraz, who will recover the world No. 1 crown from the Serbian next Monday, is expected to be the main favorite. But Nadal's young compatriot fell quite inexplicably this week in Rome, in the 3rd round, against the anonymous Hungarian Fábián Marozsán (135th in the world).
- Tennis
- Roland-Garros 2023
- Rafael Nadal
- Sport