There is a reason a statue of Rafael Nadal has been erected outside the Philippe Chatrier court in the suburbs of Paris.
No player has managed to dominate a Grand Slam tournament like Nadal did at the French Open, winning year after year for an impressive total of 14 times. It is therefore quite normal that his absence is felt when the tournament officially gets under way on Sunday.
The last time ‘Rafa’ didn’t take part in the major tournament on Parisian clay? In 2004—before gender parity was adopted, before the main stadium was renovated with a retractable roof, and before spectators could watch evening programs.
“Roland-Garros and him, it’s very special, agreed Coco Gauff, a 19-year-old American who was a finalist at the Porte d’Auteuil in 2022. I remember last year … I committed the mistake to doubt him. Soon after, he advanced to the final and triumphed in back-to-back heats. »
Gauff added that he may be “the greatest clay-court player of all time.”
Every tennis player was aware – at least, all those who are realistic and honest – that there was only one player to be avoided at all costs in the main draw. And each of them had the deep conviction that Nadal was going to leave France with another cup of the Musketeers. His career record at Roland-Garros: 112-3.
“He will always be the favourite,” admitted Casper Ruud, the Norwegian who lost to Nadal in the final last year, before adding, “if he plays.”
He will be conspicuous by his absence this time around: Nadal, who will celebrate his 37th birthday on June 3, withdrew from the tournament last week with a hip flexor injury — an injury that has plagued him ever since. January. His goal is to return to competition in Paris in 2024, for what could be his last French Open.
“Roland-Garros will always be Roland-Garros, with or without me,” Nadal said. There’s no doubt in my head. »
The question then: who will benefit from the absence of the legendary Spanish player?
Could it be his runner-up, Carlos Alcaraz, who won the U.S. Open last September at the age of 19, finished the year atop the world rankings and has only just regained his place on the the throne ? Or Novak Djokovic, who scored two wins over Nadal at the French Open and notched two career titles in Paris? Or Daniil Medvedev, who just won his first career title on clay? What about Holger Rune, who just beat Djokovic twice in a row?
“The board will be a bit more open this year,” Rune admitted. It will be interesting. It will make the tournament more attractive. »
What’s at stake for Djokovic is obvious: if he triumphs, then he will claim his 23rd career Grand Slam title, surpassing the men’s mark owned by Nadal. In addition, it should be remembered, the 36-year-old Serb has won 10 of the last 19 Grand Slam tournaments.
During the same period, Nadal won six major titles, while Alcaraz, Medvedev and Dominic Thiem each won one — all at Flushing Meadows, however.
For a long time, the tennis world wondered when the new generation of tennis players would be able to dislodge the legendary men’s “Big Three”. Roger Federer announced his retirement last year. Nadal will soon join him on the sidelines. Djokovic is still enjoying success, although he has been hampered for some time by a slow-healing right elbow injury.
“The next generation is already in place. Alcaraz is No. 1 in the world… He plays terrific tennis. It’s refreshing for our sport, with all these young men enjoying success. And that’s normal. We’ve all been saying this for years – there will come a day, that moment will come, when the new generation will replace the previous one,” Djokovic said.
“I still try to hang on to them. I am satisfied — in fact, I am very satisfied — with my career so far, he added. And I still have the appetite for victory. »
