The French Open, set to begin tomorrow, may mark the end of an era for several tennis icons, with Rafael Nadal leading the list of potential retirees.
Nadal, the 14-time Roland Garros champion, hinted at his possible retirement during a press conference on Saturday.
“There is a good chance that it will be my last French Open, but I cannot say that I am 100% certain that it will be the last,” the Spanish legend said.
Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3, is scheduled to face world number four Alexander Zverev in the first round of the tournament on Monday.
Nadal made his French Open debut in 2005, clinching the title as a 19-year-old.
Over nearly two decades, he has dominated the red clay, securing 14 championships against the sport’s elite.
His latest victory came in 2022 under challenging circumstances, as he played with his left foot anesthetised to alleviate pain from a chronic condition that has troubled him since he was 18.
Despite his extraordinary record of 22 Grand Slam titles, second only to Novak Djokovic’s 24, Nadal’s career has been marred by injuries.
Since January last year, he has participated in only four tournaments due to a hip injury and a subsequent muscle tear, playing just 15 matches over two seasons.
Joining Nadal in the potential farewell lineup are other accomplished players, including three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray and French fan favourite Alizé Cornet.
Murray, who turned 37 last week, hinted at his retirement earlier this year. “I’m likely not going to play past this summer,” Murray said in February, suggesting the Englishman may wish to conclude his career at Wimbledon, where he triumphed in 2013 and 2016.
As the tennis world prepares for the French Open, fans are bracing for the possible final performances of these celebrated athletes.
