French Open Enters New Era Without Rafael Nadal

The French Open embarks on a new journey without Rafael Nadal, the tournament's legendary champion. After announcing his retirement in November 2024, Nadal shares his contentment with life beyond tennis, free from pain and chronic injuries. As the tournament transitions into this post-Nadal era, emerging players are ready to make their mark on the clay courts. Nadal reflects on the challenges of retirement and how he now enjoys family life and new projects. Discover more about this significant shift in the world of tennis.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2025, 11:14 IST

A New Chapter for Roland-Garros

For the first time in history, the French Open is set to commence without the presence of Rafael Nadal, the tournament's most celebrated champion. Following his retirement announcement in November 2024, Nadal expressed his satisfaction with stepping away from the sport. He shared that he is relishing a life free from pain after enduring years of chronic injuries.

Nadal stated, "I feel great today, not because I’m back on the tennis court, but because I’m living a normal life without pain. I don’t miss playing. I knew I had reached my limit."

This year's event marks a significant transition as it enters the post-Nadal era, a notable change for a tournament that has long been associated with his legacy. As emerging players gear up to make their mark on the clay courts, Nadal is observing from a distance, fully embracing life outside of professional tennis. He reflected, "The first 40 days after I stopped were challenging because I felt capable of still playing well. But my foot made it impossible."

Currently, Nadal balances his time between family, managing his academy, and engaging in new ventures.