French Open organizers cancel Rafael Nadal ceremony before Zverev match following Spaniard’s sudden change of plans | Tennis News

The anticipation surrounding Rafael Nadal’s potential retirement in 2024 took an unexpected turn as the French tennis federation had to cancel a ceremony planned to honor his career at the Roland Garros this year. The decision came after Nadal hinted that he might not be ready to say goodbye to the tournament just yet, leaving the door open for a possible return in 2025.

Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo disclosed the news before Nadal’s pre-tournament press conference at the Stade Roland Garros, stating that the tennis legend expressed his desire to keep his options open for the future. “As you can imagine, we had something planned for him. But … because he doesn’t know if it’s going to be his last Roland Garros or not, he wants to leave the door open maybe to come back next year as a player,” Mauresmo explained.

Despite the cancellation of the ceremony, Mauresmo emphasized that they respect Nadal’s decision and will be ready to honor him whenever he feels the time is right. Nadal, who will turn 38 on June 3, is set to face No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev in the first round on Monday at Court Philippe Chatrier.

Heading into the tournament with a 5-3 record on clay, Nadal’s recent performances include reaching the pre-quarters in Madrid Masters and experiencing early exits in Rome and Barcelona. Tennis fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if Nadal can continue his remarkable career at Roland Garros and potentially extend his legacy in the years to come.