‘Massive Hole Nobody Can Fill’: Navratilova bemoans Nadal’s absence at Roland Garros
ATPSunday, 28 May 2023 at 20:05
Updated at Tuesday, 17 June 2025 at 11:54
This year's Roland Garros will go by without Rafael Nadal, and many have expressed disappointment at how it unfolded.
Chiefly among them was Rafael Nadal, who looked very dejected when he announced his withdrawal from this year's edition. It's the first Roland Garros he's going to miss in two decades, and it's a strange feeling for many involved.
From colleagues to former players, everyone who is in Paris is feeling his absence. Martina Navratilova is among them as she explained how his absence from the event has left a massive hole which nobody can really fill.
"A massive, massive hole. When somebody has dominated a tournament as much as Rafa has dominated this. For almost two decades, it has been Rafael Nadal against the field. Now everybody thinks they have a chance to win because Rafa’s not here. Even though he hasn’t been playing, it’s a massive, massive hole that nobody can fill."
Nadal's absence from the event has left the draw wide open. It is a great chance for all to try and win the event because the Spanish legend is not in the draw.
Alexander Zverev played amazing tennis last year, but he couldn't overcome Nadal (he was losing at the time of the injury). Casper Ruud was amazing last year as well, but he, too, couldn't beat Nadal. Neither could Novak Djokovic, and now, neither of them will have to beat him.
The focus immediately shifts to Novak Djokovic as a potential winner. He's the most experienced player in the draw, one of a handful that have ever won a Grand Slam, but he won't be the only favorite.
There are a few, including rising star Carlos Alcaraz. In fact, Djokovic himself considers Alcaraz the favorite, but none of that matters until they hit the courts. It's on the court where trophies are won, and that's to be determined.
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