What happened the last time Rafael Nadal missed the French Open at Roland-Garros? And what can we learn from it?

Rarely has a player missing a Grand Slam felt like it will leave such a hole in the tournament as it will when Rafael Nadal is absent from the upcoming French Open. Nadal first played the French Open in 2005, winning on his debut as a 19-year-old. He has played the tournament every year since, winning every time except three.

Ad Nadal will always be a part of the French Open, but what will it be like without the 14-time champion? Roland-Garros‘One match can change everything’ — Resurgent Ruud eyes Roland-Garros redemption19/05/2023 AT 19:30 To try and consider it, we look back at what happened the last time Nadal didn’t play the French Open back in 2004 – and what could be learnt from that year. Big names fall early Nadal didn't feature at the 2004 French Open due to injury. He had reached the third round of the Australian Open to start the year and won his first-ever meeting against Roger Federer in Miami, but he would play just one clay event in Estoril before missing the next three months of the season.

Federer entered the French Open as world No. 1 — his first Grand Slam atop the rankings. Even though he was still finding his footing on clay – and had lost in the first round in three of his previous five appearances in Paris – Federer was viewed as one of the leading contenders on the back of winning Wimbledon and the Australian Open in the previous 12 months.

But the world No. 1 was bounced out early, losing to three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten in straight sets in the third round. “Every year this tournament makes me go over the limit of what I think I can do,” said Kuerten, who was working his way back from hip surgery.