At the traditional media high mass a month before the opening of the Roland-Garros 2024 tournament (May 20 for the qualifiers), we did not have to wait too long before a Spanish colleague addressed the thorny case Rafael Nadal. First question: “Does Nadal’s possible package worry you? ” Bang.
“We are crossing our fingers because we want to welcome him to RG, he is at home and he knows it,” replied Amélie Mauresmo, director of the French Open. We are closely following what is happening to him on the pitch. We have the same information as you, even if we are in serious contact with his team. »
“We will follow his wishes”
As for the question of a possible homage to the king of the place, as to whether it will take place this year or next year, it depends on him. We’re waiting to see. We will follow his wishes. »
The last sentence will probably apply to the scheduling of His Majesty’s matches, “a subject which will spark debate”, anticipates Mauresmo with a smile. “We will see what is best for the tournament and for Rafa,” she added, while specifying that the programming as a whole will be managed in the same way as in previous years.
Nadal’s privilege nevertheless stops at the border of the top seeds. The question, which had already been asked in 2013 and 2015, should have the same answer this year, namely that the ATP ranking will remain the sole master. “We raised the question a few months ago but it is not current,” said Mauresmo. Wimbledon did it, yes there are advantages but there are also disadvantages. As of today, this is not on the table. » Nadal therefore faces a difficult picture. If he plays, obviously.