Rafael Nadal: The King of the French Open

By Frank W. Gillespie | Posted 10 months ago

Spanish-born tennis star Rafael Nadal first won the French Open as a teenager in 2005. It was Nadal’s fledgling tourney on Paris’ famed clay courts, and he’s dominated the Roland-Garros men’s singles tournament since.

 

Nadal has won the French Open 14 times in 18 appearances (a staggering 78% WPCT), including two four-peats and a five-peat. Roland-Garros honored Nadal by erecting an honorary statue in his likeness in 2021. 

(Instagram: @RafaelNadal)

Nadal’s name is synonymous with success in the tennis world overall, but his supremacy specifically at the French Open has been otherworldly. The passionate Spaniard is the reigning champion, and with his victory in 2022, Nadal (then 36) became the oldest player to win the tournament. Nadal had battled through chronic foot pain en route to winning the 2022 French Open, but a hip injury has forced him to withdraw from the action in Paris this time around. 

 

The left hip flexor injury reared its ugly head on Nadal during a match against Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open on January 18. Nadal was clearly limited vs. McDonald and he lost the match. An MRI followed, and Nadal was expected to miss about two months, but the injury has lingered.  

 

On May 18, Nadal made the official announcement that he wouldn’t be able to defend his French Open title. Nadal announced this news during a press conference at his tennis academy in Manacor, Spain. Furthermore, Nadal said that he expects to retire from tennis after the 2024 season. Nadal spoke Spanish for most of the press conference, but he did address the media in English for a few minutes here:

 

 

“My goal, my ambition, is to stop, to try and give myself an opportunity to enjoy next year.,” Nadal stated during his press conference from Rafa Nadal Academy. “That (2024) is probably going to be my last year on the professional tour. My motivation is to try to enjoy and say goodbye to all of the tournaments that have been important to me in my tennis career during next year. Being competitive, which today is not possible.”

 

The immediate question is, who will aspire to Nadal’s French Open throne in the King’s absence? Which player, if any, can challenge Nadal’s dominion over Paris’ clay courts in the men’s singles tournaments going forward? Another Spanish phenom is the current favorite to win Roland-Garros this year, and some believe that Carlos Alcaraz is the heir apparent to Rafael Nadal’s throne

 

Alcaraz (+130) sits atop the ATP rankings, but Serbian Novak Djokovic (+195) is close behind him. Danish-born Holger Rune (+850) and Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas(+1000) are also seen as serious contenders in the French Open this year. Russian pro Daniil Medvedev (+2500) is an intriguing dark horse candidate, who has longer odds despite being in the ATP’s #2 overall spot (he recently leapfrogged Djokovic).  

 

However, if we’re talking about a male singles player that Nadal can metaphorically pass the torch to, fellow countryman Alcaraz is likely that guy. At the tender age of 20, Alcaraz is bringing a physicality and ferocity to tennis that is noteworthy. The young man is hungry, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Alcaraz claiming the La Coupe des Mousquetaires in Nadal’s absence. 

 

Whether Nadal will be able to return to compete for his 15th French Open Championship in 2024 still remains to be seen. At a minimum, the door is open for a new Roland-Garros champion, and the stage is set for Nadal to enjoy a potentially epic farewell tour next year. First things first. The 2023 French Open begins on Sunday. 

 

Only three men not named Nadal have won Roland-Garros in the last 18 years: Switzerland’s Roger Federer (2009) and Stan Wawrinka (2015), and Russia’s Novak Djokovic (2016 and 2021). Perhaps 2023 is Carlos Alcaraz’s year in Paris. Restez à l'écoute.         

 

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