Roland-Garros 2024: why didn't Nadal have a farewell ceremony after his defeat? (2024)

Published byGraziella de Sortiraparis· Published on May 29th, 2024 at 01:45 p.m.

On Monday May 27, 2024, 14-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal suffered a first-round defeat. Having announced the end of his career, why didn't he have a farewell ceremony for what was to be his last clay-court tournament?

A few months ago, Rafael Nadal, one of the world's best tennis players, announced that he would soon be retiring, and that the 2024 edition of Roland-Garros would surely be his last. On Monday May 27, the Spaniard, multiple winner of the Paris clay-court tournament, lost in the first round of the final draw to Germany's Zverev. A terrible defeat, which was not followed by a farewell ceremony for the tennis player, much to the surprise of fans of the sport.

On Prime Video, Amélie Mauresmo indicated that a ceremony was indeed planned, but that Nadal had finally changed his mind:"Everything was ready, because that was the idea. He told us, he told me, but then he changed his mind. I think the way he stepped up his game during the week's training here was crucial. And as soon as he got back to his best, he said to himself that maybe it wasn't the last one, so we cancelled everything at the last minute".

Rafael Nadal said he was not 100% sure that Roland Garros 2024 would be his last, despite his difficulties. "I'm giving myself another 2 months until Paris 2024, and then we'll see if I can keep playing or if I decide that finally it's time to hang it up," he added in the press conference. If it wasn't just a simple goodbye, the public gave the player a fitting send-off, with a moving standing ovation at the end of his match.

Roland-Garros 2024: why didn't Nadal have a farewell ceremony after his defeat? (1)Roland-Garros 2024: why didn't Nadal have a farewell ceremony after his defeat? (2)Roland-Garros 2024: why didn't Nadal have a farewell ceremony after his defeat? (3)Roland-Garros 2024: why didn't Nadal have a farewell ceremony after his defeat? (4) French Open and Olympic Games 2024: Rafael Nadal's goals before the end of his career
Rafael Nadal missed last year's French Open due to injury. 2024 is set to be the last of his career, and he's hoping to shine both during the competition and at the Paris Olympics, to finish on a high note! [Read more]

Roland-Garros 2024: why didn't Nadal have a farewell ceremony after his defeat? (2024)

FAQs

Roland-Garros 2024: why didn't Nadal have a farewell ceremony after his defeat? ›

A terrible defeat, which was not followed by a farewell ceremony for the tennis player, much to the surprise of fans of the sport. On Prime Video, Amélie Mauresmo indicated that a ceremony was indeed planned, but that Nadal had finally changed his mind:"Everything was ready, because that was the idea.

What does Rafa's sister do? ›

How many times has Nadal lost at Roland Garros? ›

At least I did,” Nadal said. “I mean, I lost, but that's part of the business.” He had indicated 2024 likely would be his last season, but he said Saturday he is not absolutely certain he be at the French Open again. He reiterated that after only his fourth defeat in 116 career matches at the place.

How to watch the French Open 2024 in the USA? ›

The 2024 French Open is available on NBC Sports, the Tennis Channel and Peaco*ck. NBC and Peaco*ck will broadcast the French Open, including the semifinals and finals, with all NBC TV coverage accessible for streaming on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

Who knocked Djokovic out of French Open? ›

The top seed announced his withdrawal from the Grand Slam tournament later on Tuesday. The 37-year-old was due to play Norwegian seventh seed Casper Ruud in the last eight on Wednesday. The scan revealed Djokovic has torn medial meniscus in his right knee.

What happened to Rafa's hair? ›

Rafael Nadal's hair transplant was actually a lot cheaper than you might expect. He got the procedure done in Madrid, which cost him around £7,700 for a total of 4,500 grafts. When compared to many clinics in the UK, this is relatively cheap.

What do Nadal's parents do? ›

His father is a businessman who owns an insurance company, a glass and window company (Vidres Mallorca), and the restaurant Sa Punta. His mother once owned a perfume shop, but gave it up to raise Nadal and his younger sister, María Isabel.

How many times has Djokovic lost to Nadal? ›

The two have faced each other 59 times, including in all four major finals, with Djokovic leading 30–29 overall.

How many 5 set matches has Nadal played at Roland Garros? ›

Out of 115 matches Nadal has played at Roland Garros, only thrice has he been taken to the deciding set with the Spaniard emerging victorious every time. Rafael Nadal has dominated French Open like no other player has ever done at any Major in the Open era.

How many times did Nadal lose on Clay? ›

Additionally, Nadal is 137–4 in best of five matches on clay (a win percentage of 97.2%). Nadal did not lose a single semifinal on clay courts for 12 years (52–0) from the 2003 Croatia Open to the 2015 Rio Open — an all-time record on a single surface.

Who is televising the French Open 2024? ›

How to watch and live stream French Open 2024 in the UK. The French Open 2024 will be shown live on Eurosport and the action is also available to stream live on discovery+ Standard.

Where is the French Open 2024? ›

The 2024 French Open was a Grand Slam tennis tournament that was played on outdoor clay courts. It was held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, from 26 May to 9 June 2024, comprising singles, doubles and mixed doubles play. Junior and wheelchair tournaments are also scheduled.

Who won the French Open in 2024? ›

In the 2024 French Open, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Tokyo Olympic Champion Alexander Zeverev of Germany in five sets, 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. The final, which was played on the Court Philippe Chatrier, lasted four hours and 19 minutes. It was Alcaraz's 14th career singles title and the seventh title on clay.

Why did Djokovic pull out of the French Open? ›

World No 1 Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the French Open ahead of his quarter-final match due to a knee injury. Top seed and defending champion Djokovic was scheduled to play Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. Norwegian seventh seed Ruud will therefore progress straight to the semi-finals.

Did Djokovic play the French Open in 2024? ›

French Open 2024: Novak Djokovic withdraws with an injured right knee.

Who replaces Djokovic? ›

With the withdrawal, Djokovic now will be replaced by current No. 2 Jannik Sinner, an Italian who was playing No. 10 Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Monday's victory was his 370th in Grand Slam play, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most in tennis history, but it was costly.

Who are the people in Rafa's box? ›

There are often other family members in his box – his mother Ana Maria, his father Sebastian and his sister Maria Isabel (sometimes referred to as Maribel) are frequently there to support him, particularly at the majors, and we also occasionally catch sight of another uncle, Miguel Angel, who is a sporting hero in his ...

How many siblings does Rafa Nadal have? ›

Nadal and his sister, Maria Isabel Nadal (Maribel) were born in Manacor, Balearic Islands, Spain to Sebastian Nadal and Ana Maria. The Spaniard's family also includes his uncles and Sebastian's brothers – Toni Nadal and Miguel Angel Nadal Homar.

Are Serena and Rafa friends? ›

The players, who have cemented their status as legends of the game, share an off-court friendship that has given several memorable moments to fans.

Who is Rafa married to? ›

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