Rafael Nadal will not take part in Roland Garros this year, for the first time in his career. Injured in the hip since the Australian Open last January, the Spaniard formalized his withdrawal during an exceptional press conference on Thursday. An announcement that leaves no one insensitive.
Former world number 1, Amélie Mauresmo is saddened for the player but also all his fans. "I am extremely disappointed for Rafael Nadal, who is forced to withdraw from Roland-Garros, his tournament of heart, announces the current director of the Roland-Garros tournament. I am also for the public of the Porte d'Auteuil as well as for all tennis fans, who will be deprived this year of this immense champion. Rafael Nadal, whose destiny is intimately linked to that of the Roland-Garros tournament that he won fourteen times, will obviously be greatly missed.
»For Amélie Mauresmo, this package is not the end of the Mallorcan. She hopes for the return of the former world No. 1 in 2024. "But at this moment, I think of him first and I imagine the pain and sadness he must feel after having to make such a decision. It must have been heartbreaking. We now hope that he recovers as soon as possible in order to see him quickly tread the tennis courts and find him next year at Roland-Garros.
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