French Open pays tribute to Nadal, holder Swiatek makes strong start

PARIS: Rafael Nadal hasn't swung a tennis racket in the six months since the final match of his remarkable career. Eventually, he figures, he will do so again, if for no other reason than to prepare for exhibition matches. But for now, he is fine taking time away from the court in retirement.

He also was OK with realizing soon after walking away that he no longer felt the competitive streak that helped carry him to 22 Grand Slam titles. That total includes a remarkable 14 at the French Open, more championships than any other person won at one of his sport's major tournaments - and the site of a celebration of his excellence on Sunday in its main stadium.

When he would play golf, for example, "I didn’t care if I lose, if I win, if I play well, if I play bad. Was a strange feeling for me, and not funny. I didn’t like to experience that, being honest, because I understand (sports differently).”

Not surprisingly, though, that period passed. It makes sense that the drive that pushed him for two decades to succeed, to strive to get better, to keep accumulating accolades would not quite disappear forever.

"I am competitive again,” he pronounced with a smile. "Just to let you know, I am enjoying my daily competitions when I play golf and when I do things, but I think in a much nicer way.”

Now he invests time in his family - his wife and 2-year-old son were at Court Philippe-Chatrier for Sunday's moving tribute - and business interests, including his tennis academy, a hotel company and a nutritional supplements company, plus his charitable foundation.

"I am discovering,” said Nadal, who turns 39 on June 3, "what really motivates me for this new life.”

And as for tennis?

"I am having fun. I don’t miss much tennis, because I feel that I (gave) all what I had. I arrive at the day of today with the peace that I can’t be on court. My body doesn't allow me to be on court. So that’s all. I am (at) peace,” he continued. "I did all (that) I could to have the best career possible, and now I am enjoying this new phase of my life, that I am sure going to be less exciting than the tennis career.”

He went on to explain that the adrenaline sports produces is "impossible to find in other things in life,” but that doesn't mean he will be any less happy.

As singular as his achievements in Paris were - not just the 14 trophies, first at age 18 in 2005 and last at age 36 in 2022, but also the career record of 112-4 - Nadal does not find it inconceivable that someone else could come along and produce similar success.

He might be the only one who thinks that way. After all, no man in the professional era, which began in 1968, even won half as many championships at Roland-Garros; Bjorn Borg is next on the list with six.

"I really feel that if I did it - I don’t consider myself somebody very, very special - another one is going to come and going to achieve that, too,” he said. "A lot of things need to happen in your favor to make that happen, because you need a long career, because you can’t have a lot of injuries, even if I had (my share). ... You can have injuries, you can have very, very bad days. So you need some luck, too.”

Meanwhile, Swiatek entered the tournament on a near year-long trophy drought but showed signs of form in a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova.

Her struggles since the last of her four French Open titles have been well documented, but she broke her 42nd-ranked opponent four times in a strong display.

The five-time Grand Slam champion's remarkable win-loss record in the tournament now stands at 36-2.

"I knew I needed to stay proactive and try to use my weapons. I'm happy with my performance and it was a solid match," said Swiatek, who also beat Sramkova in the second round of this year's Australian Open.

Swiatek, who has dropped to fifth in the world rankings, will next face former US Open champion Emma Raducanu after the Briton defeated China's Wang Xinyu 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.

Raducanu is playing at the French Open for the first time since a second-round exit on her debut in 2022.

Former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina battled past Argentinian qualifier Julia Riera 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, two days after lifting her first WTA title since April 2024 in Strasbourg.

Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, who had a match point against Swiatek in the second round at Roland Garros a year ago, has a tough opening match against 10th seed Paula Badosa.

Australian Open champion Madison Keys plays Australian qualifier Daria Saville in round one.

Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 French Open champion, is drawn against Britain's Jacob Fearnley.

Holger Rune, the only man to beat Alcaraz on clay this year, goes up against Roberto Bautista Agut. Fourth seed Taylor Fritz and 2021 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas are also in action.

Agencies