Rafael Nadal is set to be honoured on the opening day of this year’s French Open, the organisers announced on Thursday.
The 38-year-old Nadal won 14 of his 22 Majors at Roland Garros in Paris but suffered his earliest exit after a first-round defeat by Alexander Zverev last year. He did not say then if it was the last time that his adoring Parisian fans would watch him in action at the Major.
However, the Spaniard retired from professional tennis later at Davis Cup Finals in November.
“Rafa has marked the history of the tournament with his 14 titles which will perhaps remain unequalled. A celebration will be organised on Sunday, May 25 on the Philippe-Chatrier court in honor of the man who lifted 14 Coupes des Mousquetaires. For his first season off the courts, a ceremony is planned at the end of the three matches of the day session. An exhibition with an immersive and fun journey will also be dedicated to the champion throughout the tournament at the Tenniseum. He will not be a player this year at Roland-Garros, but he will be very present at our side for this 2025 edition,” said Tournament Director Amelie Mauresmo during a press conference.
This year’s French Open will be held from May 25 to June 8.
The tournament will also pay tributes to Mary Pierce and Richard Gasquet.
Pierce, who won both the singles and doubles title 25 years ago, will be honoured on Center Court between the two women’s semifinals on June 5. The 50-year-old Frenchwoman will also be presented with a famous ring for her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019.
The 38-year-old Gasquet is set to retire after this season and it will be his 22nd and final appearance at his home Slam in Paris. A celebration, retracing his career, will be held after his final match at the clay Major.
No electronic line calling at this year’s French Open
French Tennis Federation chief Gilles Moretton said the Grand Slam would not break tradition and replace line judges with electronic line calling despite the other majors embracing the technology more widely.
Wimbledon will adopt electronic line calling from this year, joining the U.S. Open and the Australian Open.
“I think we are right to keep our referees and linesmen at Roland Garros. The federation wants to keep our referees for as long as we can,” Moretton said. “I hope we’ll be able to maintain it in our tournaments in the future.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com