Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the 2022 French Open
Former world No 1 Amelie Mauresmo has described Rafael Nadal’s achievement of winning 14 French Open titles as “one of the greatest feats in sport in general.”
Mauresmo, who is the Roland Garros tournament director, proclaimed that Nadal and the French Open are “intimately linked” as she discussed his participation at the 2024 event.
Nadal arrived in Paris today ahead of what could be his final Roland Garros appearance — given he has revealed 2024 will likely be his last year on tour.
Welcome back, @RafaelNadal #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/5FQMzRFy1F
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 20, 2024
The Spaniard, who will turn 38 during the French Open, has won the clay-court Grand Slam an astonishing 14 times, which is the record number of titles at a single Grand Slam event in tennis history.
Nadal won his maiden Major at Roland Garros in 2005, while he claimed his 22nd Grand Slam and most recent title at any level at the 2022 edition of the tournament. The former world No 1 holds a staggering 112-3 (97%) record at the French Open from his 18 appearances.
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In an interview with Eurosport, Mauresmo lauded Nadal’s accomplishments at the French Open as she highlighted the demanding nature of the Paris Grand Slam.
“It’s too hard to say where it fits in (Nadal’s record). I think that physically, mentally, it’s a pretty amazing performance. In 20 years of Roland Garros, not even 18, to win 14 times is unreal,” said the Frenchwoman.
“At the best of five sets, we’re on a surface that’s probably the most demanding on the circuit all year round. For me, it’s one of the greatest feats in sport in general.”
The two-time Grand Slam champion also spoke about the prospect of Nadal competing at Roland Garros for the last time this year.
“In fact, I’m taking a step back from it, in the sense that he’s in control. And even then, it’s not necessarily him completely. I know that it’s his body that’s going to dictate his decision,” explained Mauresmo.
“So I’m a bit philosophical about the whole thing. Of course, we want to see him here. We want to see him at Roland Garros. He’s at home here.
“As he himself says, it’s the most important tournament of his career. Rafa and Roland Garros, their stories are intimately linked now.
“We want to see him here again. But physically, I don’t think he’s had any problems in the last few tournaments he’s played. So we’re keen to see him. I hope he arrives soon.
“Their stories are intimately linked, in a way that’s unique in the history of this sport and of sports in general, in my opinion. The legend between the two, I don’t know, I can’t find the right word, but it’s unique. For me, it’s unique.
“The tournament has its own history with Rafa, and that’s something that’s going to stay with us forever, because I don’t think anyone can match what he’s done here. Of course, the myth has helped the tournament grow too.”
The 2024 French Open will run from May 26 to June 9.
