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The earthquake in Nadal shook the entire tennis world. After the difficult past few months, it was to be expected that the 22-time Grand Slam winner would withdraw from Roland Garros – but the Mallorcan’s statement hit everyone in the scene. Especially since it was not only Nadal (36)’s first absence from Paris since his debut in 2005, but also announced his “probably last year on tour” after a break of several months before 2024. With Roger Federer’s resignation, the next farewell to a Big 3 legend approaches.
“We are always there for you”
In Spain, where thousands followed the livestream of yesterday’s press conference, the shock runs deep. Number one in the world and compatriot Carlos Alcaraz (20) is also appalled: “The news hurts a lot and is sad.” The “Marca,” meanwhile, supports the headline, “Whatever you do, we’re always here for you.” And the newspaper “Super” gives Nadal hope for a strong comeback with the huge headline “¡Vamos, Rafa!”.
The front page chosen by the French “Équipe” probably best describes Nadal’s dominance on sand: “An earth without its king.” The organizers of the second Grand Slam tournament of the season lose this year their greatest ambassador, guarantee of enthusiasm and spectacle, the wildly popular record holder with 14 titles. After the cancellation of Nick Kyrgios (28) due to injury, it is the next low blow for the French Open.
Nadal is passed in the rankings
After all: Nadal’s withdrawal due to his hip injury has another star (fighting back from the crisis) kissing his hand: Dominic Thiem (29), two-time Paris finalist, slides into the main draw.
Meanwhile, Nadal himself is in a free fall in terms of ranking. Because he cannot defend the 2000 points from his victory at Roland Garros last year, he ends up outside the top 100 for the first time since April 14, 2003 (!) after the French Open and will probably rank around 130th place. After the Australian Open he would even have lost all his points, but could then participate in tournaments again thanks to the “Protected Ranking”.
“He did the right thing, he listens to his body,” David Sánchez, Spanish tennis journalist (including Marca Radio) and book author, told Blick. He believes only a real, relaxing break can save Nadal’s chance to return to his former strength: “It’s too early to say if he will be really competitive again. But one thing is clear: as long as he doesn’t ready to give it all, he’s not coming back.”
“Of course there is a risk”
Of course: the danger that Nadal – just like Federer – could never come back from his injury break also scares tennis fans. Sánchez says: “Of course there is a risk. But Rafa has proven often enough that he knows himself very well.” And above all: that he is a fighter.
Like Nadal himself, Daniil Medvedev (27), currently the number three in the world, thinks that the Spaniard does not deserve to say goodbye during an injury break: “I hope he comes back and can win Grand Slam tournaments again.” But the Russian also states that without Nadal, the starting position for Paris is now more open than it has been for almost 20 years: “Nadal would certainly have been the favourite, now completely new possibilities are opening up for us.”
Well, from the point of view of the Spaniards, there is a variant that could dampen Nadal’s national mourning: a Roland Garros title from Shooting Star Alcaraz.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
