French Open: Rafael Nadal makes organizers tremble: Amélie Mauresmo keeps her fingers crossed for Spaniards

The organizers of the second Grand Slam tournament of the year would hope for Nadal’s participation. “We know how important it is for him to start at Roland-Garros,” she said. In a way, the tournament shaped the career of the 35-year-old. “His entire legend,” said Mauresmo.

“Sometimes it’s difficult for me to accept the situation,” admitted the 21-time Grand Slam winner afterwards. “I’m a player living with an injury.”

For Mauresmo, the situation is clear. “He knows himself better than anyone. He’s been living with this injury for years,” said the former world number one. “We will follow the situation. There is nothing we can do,” says the 42-year-old.

French Open: “A new era begins”

For the tournament director, the priority is to gather the biggest names in tennis in Paris. Should Nadal actually miss out through injury, it would be a huge loss. “Obviously we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the best players are there,” said Mauresmo.

However, the Frenchwoman’s gaze is not only focused on Nadal’s participation. Rather, Mauresmo hopes that the women will get more of the big cake of attention. Above all, she expects another highlight this season from the dominator Iga Swiatek. “What Iga has been showing us for the past few months proves that she’s the boss. I think we’re witnessing the rebellion of a new generation.”

With Swiatek, Naomi Osaka and Ons Jabeur, Mauresmo threw three names into the ring from which she expects great things. “Hopefully the spectators at Roland-Garros will appreciate it. Women’s tennis has been repeatedly criticized for its stereotypical style of play in recent years,” she explained, but was happy at the same time.

Because: “A new era begins.”