Rafael Nadal withdraws from French Open: 'Paris will cry for loss of its king' - Fans at Italian Open react to news

18.05.2023 - 21:01 eurosport.com

The king is dead… long live the king? The phrase is metaphoric and dramatic in many ways but the news that men’s tennis’ greatest ever clay-court player, Rafael Nadal, will NOT feature at this year’s Roland-Garros has sent melancholic shockwaves across the tennis world and opened the door for a rare, different name to hold aloft La Coupe des Mousquetaires in 2023.

Ad The reigning champion and 14-time winner’s announcement at a press conference held at his Academy in Mallorca on Thursday afternoon is hugely significant on so many levels.

Roland-GarrosSchett relieved to see Nadal confirm desire to play on2 HOURS AGO For some it was expected while others were just hopeful the 22-time major winner would somehow find a way to grace Court Philippe Chatrier once again.

The 36-year-old hasn’t beaten the clock in his race to be fit in time to play in the French capital this time around and the news has just raised further questions.

Boxing tennis Sporting loss Rafael Nadal France Spain Italy Rome

Alexander Zverev is going to be «defined by his resilience» after making the French Open semi-finals a year on from his horror injury, says Mats Wilander. Zverev was locked in a fascinating, marathon duel with Rafael Nadal last year at Roland-Garros before going over on his ankle, and left Court Philippe-Chatrier in a wheelchair. Ad It has been a long road back to fitness for the German, but he has once more made the last four in Paris after seeing off Tomas Etcheverry.

Novak Djokovic Breaks Rafael Nadal's Record, Eases Into French Open Quarter-Finals

Novak Djokovic swept into the French Open quarter-finals for the 14th straight year on Sunday as world number one Carlos Alcaraz prepared for a tricky test against Italy's Lorenzo Musetti. Third seed Djokovic, who is chasing a record 23rd men's Grand Slam singles title at Roland Garros, ended the surprise run of Peruvian outsider Juan Pablo Varillas in straight sets. Djokovic, a two-time champion in Paris, won 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 against the 94th-ranked Varillas to book a meeting with Russia's Karen Khachanov, the 11th seed who overcame Lorenzo Sonego in four sets. "I had never played my opponent before. I knew he was a clay court specialist and that I had to earn the victory. It was the best I played this week," said Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic breaks record he shared with Rafael Nadal at French Open

Novak Djokovic broke a tie with rival Rafael Nadal by reaching the French Open quarterfinals for the record 17th time, never truly in trouble during a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Juan Pablo Varillas on Sunday.

Rafael Nadal Undergoes Arthroscopy To Check Hip Injury

Rafael Nadal underwent an arthroscopic intervention on Friday to assess the hip injury which has kept him out of competition since the Australian Open in January with the result to be known on Saturday, the day of his 37th birthday. Nadal said last month that the injury has not healed as well as he had hoped and therefore he was taking more time out of the sport. The Spaniard missed the ongoing French Open, which he has won 14 times, for the first time since 2004.

French Open 2023: 'Anything can happen' – Holger Rune says Roland-Garros is wide open with no Rafael Nadal

Holger Rune believes Rafael Nadal’s absence from the French Open has completely opened up the Grand Slam. The 14-time winner at Roland-Garros pulled out with a hip injury and the Dane highlighted a number of big names that are waiting to claim victory in Paris. Ad He said: “I think for sure it's more open as Rafa is not here, but again, we still have Novak [Djokovic], we have [Carlos] Alcaraz.