When Rafael Nadal initially broached the idea that 2024 might mark his final season as a professional tennis player, he emphasized the significance of competing in the Paris Olympics as “one of the important competitions I would like to be at.”
If this season does indeed prove to be his farewell tour, and if he successfully recovers from hip surgery to participate in the Summer Games, although both outcomes remain uncertain, it would be a fitting conclusion that his goodbye unfolds at the venue of the French Open.
In the realm of tennis, no event defines Nadal’s legacy quite like the clay-court Grand Slam tournament at Roland Garros. Conversely, the presence of a statue of the 38-year-old Spaniard at this site underscores its profound significance, having served as the backdrop for a record-setting 14 out of his 22 major championships. It is also where the Olympic tennis matches commence on July 27.
