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French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said that they expect the 37-year-old Rafael Nadal to play in the 2024 edition of the tournament.
Rafael Nadal of Spain practices during the Mutua Madrid Open 2024, ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000, tournament celebrated at Caja Magica on April 24, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Getty Images)
New Delhi: French Open organisers hope that Rafael Nadal will shake off his injry concerns to play in the 2024 edition of the tournament that begins on May 26.
Nadal has hinted at retiring at the end of the current season after missing the Australian Open with a hip injury. He returned to action in Barcelona Open but was beaten in the second round.
After his defeat, the record 14-time champion in Roland Garros said that he would only appear at the clay-court Grand Slam if he feels fit enough to compete, which has cast doubts on his participation.
But French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said that they expect the 37-year-old to play.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed for him, but also for us because we want to welcome him here to Roland Garros,” Mauresmo said at a press conference on Thursday.
“He is at home (here) and he knows it. Knowing whether there will be a tribute (to Nadal) or not, this year, next year, is very dependent on him and the decisions he takes.
“We’re waiting to see and we will follow his wishes.”
Spaniard Nadal is a 22-time Grand Slam winner, second behind Novak Djokovic (24) on the all-time list.
Second retractable roof court
The organisers also said that the second retractable roof will be unveiled on the opening day of the competition. It will be used during the Paris Olympics too.
A ceremony to inaugurate it will be held on the opening day has been built on the roof over the 10,000-seater Suzanne Lenglen court with the main 15,000-seater Philippe Chatrier court getting covered in 2020.
Mauresmo said the second retractable roof is the most prominent news feature of the 2024 tournament, which will help them a lot in scheduling matches and help in continuation of play.
It will also keep the Olympics on schedule from July 27-August 4 after heat and humidity disrupted matches on open-air courts at the Tokyo Olympics.
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