No Brits: 2023 Roland Garros First Grand Slam Without British Woman Since 2009
The 2023 Roland Garros will go by without Rafael Nadal but also there will be no WTA player from the United King will be in the main draw either.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country that is quite famous for its tennis tradition. After all, Wimbledon is based there and it's arguably the most famous and biggest tennis event in the world.
Even so, the country is not particularly known for its clay prowess when it comes to its tennis players. It was proven this year as this year Roland Garros will be the first one since 2009 not to feature a single woman in the main draw of the event. The men's side looks a bit more promising but it's still a negative trend that could have been avoided.
Some will find a way to blame Emma Raducanu for undergoing triple surgery at the wrong time but there are other players that could have picked up the slack. Harriet Dart and Heather Watson were part of the qualifying draw but neither was able to win and secure a spot in the main draw.
Fran Jones was another player from the UK who didn't do that well in the qualifiers and that's the reason the country won't have a single player in the main draw. That will likely be avoided at Wimbledon in a few weeks due to wild cards but there won't be a Union Jack flag in Paris.
Last year's event saw Emma Raducanu compete but she didn't go far. This year will see her miss both Roland Garros and Wimbledon with the US Open a huge question mark. Her compatriot Johanna Konta doesn't think she'll take any extra time off hoping for a return in Flushing Meadows.
Just in
- 09:40 Nadal's Singles Nomination At Davis Cup Defended By Spain's Captain
- 08:00 'Honored' Djokovic Sends Touching Tribute To Nadal After His Retirement
- 06:00 Djokovic And Federer Missing 'Watered Down' Nadal Tribute Says Ferrer
- 03:55 USA's Controversial Davis Cup Choice Causes Outrage Among Players And Coaches
- 02:07 Alcaraz To Train With One Of His Young Rivals During Off-Season
- 00:30 Nadal's Uncle Toni Left Disappointed By Nephew's Retirement Ceremony