Carlos Alcaraz gave his honest opinion on what the French Open will be like without Rafael Nadal.
2025 will mark the first year that the clay court Grand Slam will take place without its greatest ever champion.
During his illustrious career Nadal won the French Open an astounding 14 times, with his last victory coming in 2022.
But this year the tournament is set to enter a new era, with Alcaraz, the defending champion, at the forefront.
Carlos Alcaraz says how she feels about the French Open without Rafael Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz grew up watching Nadal compete at the French Open before competing in the same draw as him in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
Now he will make his fifth main draw appearance at the Parisian major and for the first time since his retirement, it will be without the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
It will take some time to adjust to Nadal not making his entrance on court Philippe Chatrier, and it is certainly going to feel strange for Nadal’s compatriot, Alcaraz.
“It’s going to feel weird playing Roland Garros without Rafa, but let’s see,” the World number three said.
“A few months ahead before that happens. We will see how that is going to be. But I think it will feel weird.”
Did Carlos Alcaraz watch Rafael Nadal’s last French Open match?
Nadal took on Alexander Zverev in what is now his last French Open match in 2024.
Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek were also in the stands to witness the contest, which Zverev won 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.
Post-match, Nadal shared that he did not know Alcaraz was in the crowd during his match but he appreciated that he and his fellow peers were in attendance.
“I didn’t see them, but I think in some way it’s normal, no? I think if that’s the last time that I’m gonna be playing here and if I know that Novak is the last time playing in Wimbledon or in Australia and I was there, it’s normal,” said Nadal.
“I mean, happy that that happens, you know, because that means that I had a positive legacy here and positive legacy my career.
“I mean, these kind of rivals or young players that are here like Carlos that probably watch me on TV the most of his years that they are living (smiling), it’s normal that in some way they are interested to see how this is going to be, and especially in this particular place with all the history that I had behind, no?
“But yeah, I mean, happy that that happens, you know, because that means that I had a positive legacy here and positive legacy for my career, no? And that’s it.”
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