Rafael Nadal’s announcements (he will not play at Roland Garros 2023 and 2024 will likely be the last year of his career) are on the front pages of newspapers, and L’Equipe has devoted a large article to the known “king of clay”.

Rafael NadalPhoto: Ella Ling / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

L’Equipe after Rafael Nadal’s Roland Garros defeat: ‘The land without its king’

The French called it “The Land Without Its King”, referring to Nadal’s 14 Grand Slam titles in Paris.

For their part, Marca journalists said they will always be by Rafa’s side, regardless of what he decides to do next.

Rafael Nadal withdrew from Roland Garros-2023.

A 14-time clay-court champion in Paris, the Iberian made the sad announcement during a press conference he held at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor.

“I am here for different reasons. I can’t play at Roland Garros this year. My body made the decision. I don’t plan on playing for the next few months.

The injury I suffered in Australia was not what I expected. Participation in Roland Garros is impossible. I won’t be able to be there for many years.

It seems logical to me to consider participating in Roland Garros, given that I am the reigning champion of the tournament. I am the person who won there the most times, there are many years of excellent results. And it’s logical that people expect me to come back, but not this time” – Rafael Nadalquoted by Marca.

Know:

  • This is the first time in 18 seasons that Nadal has missed Roland Garros.
  • Nadal has 112 wins and only 3 losses in his 18 Paris Grand Slam appearances.
  • It has already been 120 days since Rafael Nadal’s last match: 4-6, 4-6, 5-7 against Mackenzie McDonald (second round of the Australian Open).
  • Rafa has missed nine major tournaments due to an iliopsoas injury: Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros.
  • Rafael Nadal will remain with only 445 points in the world ranking and will leave the ATP top 130, which has not happened since March 2003.
  • Nadal held the first position in the ATP ranking for 209 weeks. Rafa holds the record for most consecutive weeks in the ATP top 10 (912, from April 2005 to May 2023).
  • Rafael Nadal has triumphed at Roland Garros 14 times and has 22 Grand Slam titles to his name (he is compared to Novak Djokovic).