In a press conference held on Thursday at his tennis academy, Rafael Nadal announced that he will not participate in this year’s edition of Roland Garros. The Iberian also talked about the moment when he would retire from tennis, and the reaction from the circuit was not long in coming.
Carlos Alcaraz, a message of support for Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal, after suffering an injury at the Australian Open earlier this year, announced on Thursday that he will also not be competing at Roland Garros 2023.
In addition, the former world leader also spoke about the timing of his retirement from tennis. Nadal has said that 2024 will likely be his last year on the ATP circuit.
The first to react to Nadal’s press conference was Carlos Alcaraz, who will return to the first place in the ATP ranking.
The Spaniard expressed his support for Rafael Nadal and expressed his sadness that he will not be able to take part in this year’s Roland Garros, a tournament he has won 14 times.
“It is very painful and sad for everyone that you will not be at Roland Garros or that you will not play again this year, but I wish you a great season in 2024 and that you can say goodbye as a great champion. you!” Carlos Alcaraz posted on his Instagram account.
Check out this Instagram post
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 119 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).
Source: Hot News
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