Rafael Nadal set for French Open return as grand ceremony confirmed by organisers

Nadal was purported to retire after the French Open final 12 months, the place he misplaced to No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev within the first spherical. Therefore, the organisers had organized a particular presentation for the 14-time champion on the Parisian clay. However Nadal turned down the chance as he reckoned again then that he was nonetheless undecided about his profession and needed to maintain the choice open for a return to aggressive motion on the match in 2025.

Nadal returned to Stade Roland Garros just a few months later for the Olympics, the place he misplaced to Novak Djokovic within the second spherical in males’s singles and made it to the quarters alongside Carlos Alcaraz in doubles. However shortly after that, the 22-time grand slam winner hung up his racket to bid adieu to the game.

On Wednesday, French Open match director Amelie Mauresmo confirmed within the pre-tournament press convention in Paris that Nadal will return to the French Open this 12 months for a tribute. Later, the Roland Garros social media account tweeted that the ‘King of Clay’ will likely be honoured on day one of many match. “A ceremony will likely be held on Sunday, Could 25, on Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier, after the three matches of the day session,” the tweet learn.

Nadal will, nonetheless, not be the one participant to obtain a tribute in the course of the French Open. Former world No. 7 Richard Gasquet is all set to retire at his residence match, and therefore, the organisers have organized a particular ceremony after his remaining match. The legendary Frenchwoman Mary Pierce may even be celebrated on the twenty fifth anniversary of her Roland Garros title and for induction into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame.