French Open Honors Nadal as Post-Retirement Era Begins

The 2025 French Open marks a poignant new era as it begins without Rafael Nadal, the tournament's legendary 14-time champion who retired last year and will be honored with a tribute on Sunday at Roland Garros. Nadal's unparalleled dominance on clay, with a 112-4 record and 22 Grand Slam titles, leaves a lasting legacy that players will strive to emulate. Meanwhile, the women's field is also in flux with Iga Swiatek, a four-time Roland Garros winner, struggling to maintain her previous dominance, creating a more open competition. Novak Djokovic, now 38, is seeking to regain form ahead of the tournament and chase a record 25th Grand Slam title, though recent performances have been inconsistent. The men's title race is expected to be a battleground primarily between Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion and favorite with a strong clay record, and Italy's Jannik Sinner, who recently returned from a doping ban but has shown strong performances. Other contenders include Casper Ruud and British player Jack Draper, indicating a competitive field eager to claim the throne in the post-Nadal era.