Rafael Nadal withdraws from Roland-Garros, possible 2024 retirement - what now?

For the first time since 2004, Rafael Nadal will not be in Paris for Roland Garros. The 14-time champion has a 98% winning percentage at the French Open, losing only 3 matches and pushed to five sets only 3 times - all of which he won. But in 2023, Nadal was forced to withdraw due to a persisting injury picked up at the Australian Open in January.Now what? With him in the draw, it's easy to pick him as a favourite - almost a duty. But now, with Novak Djokovic not at his best, Stefanos Tsitsipas getting back to his best, Carlos Alcaraz back at World No. 1, Daniil Medvedev playing the best tennis he's ever played on clay (which has now put him at No.1 in the ATP Tour singles Race ranking), and Holger Rune capitalizing on his immense potential, the door seems wide open. Just as it was back in 2004, when Gaston Gaudio won at Roland-Garros, coming back from two sets to love to beat none other than Guillermo Coria in the final.And then there's the possible retirement news. We don't have much to say about this, except that we hope Nadal will be fully healthy and that he finds the joy in playing tennis again.Talk to us on social media :)Follow Tennis and Bagels: Twitter @TennisAndBAGELSAndre Rolemberg @RolembergAndreVansh Vermani @vanshv2kOwen Lewis @tennisnationCheck out Popcorn Tennis!Twitter: @Popcorn_Tennis1Website: popcorntennis.comFavourite this podcast if you like our work :)SUBSCRIBE to the YouTube channel!Follow TENNIS AND BAGELS!Twitter/X: https://x.com/TennisAndBAGELSAndre:Twitter/X - https://x.com/RolembergAndreBlueSky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/andrerolemberg.bsky.socialVansh: https://x.com/vanshv2kOwen (BlueSky Social): https://bsky.app/profile/owensports.bsky.socialSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tennis-and-bagels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.