Rafael Nadal is currently enjoying a pretty solid farewell tour, having played in Barcelona, Rome and Madrid since injuring himself in Brisbane back in January.
The Spaniard is a figure that absolutely everyone in the sport wants to see one last time before he calls time on his career, which he has already suggested will be sometime this year.
So, with each new tournament brings a fresh goodbye for that set of fans, with Madrid unsurprisingly the most emotional as they unfurled a number of banners commemorating his success at the event.
However, there is no competition set to celebrate his triumphs more than Roland Garros, which starts later this month.
Rafael Nadal arrives in Paris
Rafael Nadal confirmed his Roland Garros appearance just last week ahead of its commencement, in what will be his final time there.
And now, as the official French Open account has posted, the King of Clay has touched down in Paris.
It marks his first appearance there since 2022, having missed last year through injury, and is sure to bring a newfound buzz about the place.
The 37-year-old superstar has won this event a record 14 times, a feat that will likely never be matched in any tournament.
The question that will now emerge, and one that many hopefuls will think they have the answer to, is can he win it again? Given recent form and his age, he should stand little chance. But for the romantics, and those who have counted Nadal out at Roland Garros before, they will know never to write off Nadal.
One last dance for Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros
Just as the entire tennis world stood and watched Roger Federer’s final match at the Laver Cup, a tearful farewell of which Nadal was in attendance, they will now do the same with him in Paris.
Another legend of our sport departs, and whilst he seems fit enough to leave triumphantly, it will not make the day that he finally loses any less sad.
However, we do have the upcoming Olympics this summer, which coincidentally are being held in Paris.
So, whilst Court Philippe-Chatrier might officially bid farewell to Nadal in the coming weeks, it will not be permanent, should the legendary veteran manage to keep fit for those events too.
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