Picture Credit: Twitter
Rafael Nadal shook the world after he announced his withdrawal from the French Open 2023. The 22-time Grand Slam winner announced his recurring hip injury as the reason for his withdrawal. It is to be noted that Nadal has been out of action since his Round 2 exit from Australian Open 2023.
It is to be noted that it will be the first time since 1998 that two of the legends of the game Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will not feature in a Grand Slam. Talking about the tennis great, this news did not go down well among the well-wishers and the players of the tennis fraternity. Fellow rival and World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz took to Twitter to announce his feelings towards Nadal’s withdrawal. “Good luck Rafael! ❤️ Very painful and sad for everyone that you can't be at Roland Garros or play more this year, but I hope that 2024 will be a great season for you and that you can say goodbye like the great champion you are! 🤝,🏻” he tweeted.
Former Australian legend Rod Laver also opened up on Nadal missing the tournament. Former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev showered praise for Nadal while talking about his withdrawal. “I guess it’s the first Roland Garros in whatever, 10 years, where there is no Rafa and probably out of these ten he won it probably what, nine, eight times,” Medvedev said.
During the press conference post his withdrawal from the French Open, Nadal also shed light on what could be his last year in professional tennis. “I’ll look to be 100% ready for next year, which I believe will be the last year of my professional career,” Rafael Nadal said.
