DThe French Open in Paris will take place this year without the Spanish record winner Rafael Nadal. The 36-year-old said on Thursday at a press conference in his tennis academy in Mallorca that he could not compete in the classic clay court at Stade Roland Garros for the first time since his debut in 2005 due to an injury. He will not be able to play for the next few months. This means that the long-time number one in the world cannot start at Wimbledon either.
Nadal has won the French Open 14 times, most recently last year. The Spaniard has celebrated a total of 22 Grand Slam titles so far. Nadal left it open when he would return to the tennis tour. The French Open starts on May 28th. Nadal’s cancellation increases the chances for Serbian Novak Djokovic to become a record Grand Slam champion with a 23rd title.
Nadal wants to end his glorious career in 2024. “Next year is going to be my last,” he said. “I can’t say 100 percent because you never know what’s going to happen. But my goal is to enjoy all the tournaments that meant something to me again next year.”
With his waiver of the French Open and other tournaments in the coming months, he wants to give himself the chance to enjoy the coming year, which will probably be his last on the professional tour, said Nadal. He also announced that he would also like to compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris – the tennis tournament at the Summer Games will take place on the French Open facility.
