Rafael Nadal did not want to rule out any possibilities and, after initially agreeing to the organizers’ plan, reconsidered the scheduled ceremony at Roland Garros.
The Spanish champion is uncertain if his match against Alexander Zverev was his last in Paris, similar to his experience in Rome. Saying farewell to the French Open without certainty didn’t seem appropriate.
Nadal’s fourteen triumphs at Roland Garros have established a record that is hard to fathom, earning him the well-deserved title of “The King of Clay.”
Nadal remains a formidable opponent
Speaking on Eurosport, Boris Becker emphasized his perspective on tennis history. “In my opinion, there will never be another player like Rafael Nadal on clay courts. He is the greatest of all time on this surface, having won Roland Garros 14 times. For me, he is unmatched.”
Becker also commented on the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, drawing comparisons to the Big 3. “If we compare them to Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal, we need to see them play for at least another 15 years,” the former German tennis player stated. “Only then might we know who stands out, as new players and rivals will emerge for both.”
The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner is already one of the highlights of contemporary tennis and promises to be exciting in the future. With nine fiercely contested matches marked by respect and sportsmanship, both players consistently deliver incredible performances, risking everything for glory.