French sports fans have their annual traditions: in March, PSG's early elimination from the Champions League; in April, Easter chicken and fries in front of Paris-Roubaix; in July, long naps in front of the Tour de France... When the month of May draws to a close, suggesting the return of sunny terraces and warm summer evenings, it is Roland-Garros that monopolizes their attention.

This year again, Paris is adorned with orange – unless it is ochre – to host its Grand Slam tournament. T-shirt "I can't, I have Roland", caps, giant tennis balls ready to be signed, the rituals are immutable. However, in this year 2023, a shadow darkens the picture: Rafael Nadal, fourteen times winner of the tournament, will not be present.

The Roland-Garros legend had to withdraw due to recurring muscle injuries. A real thunderbolt in the world of tennis. Because since his first title on the Parisian clay in 2005, two days after his 19th birthday, Nadal has never failed at the Porte d'Auteuil. He accumulated 112 wins and suffered only three losses (in 2009, 2015 and 2021), plus one forfeit during the tournament (2016, because of his left wrist). The Mallorcan simply forced the sports press to exhume the adjective "tetradest-ten" to talk about his 14 titles, a record at Roland but also in any Grand Slam.

A child and his father in front of the statue of Rafael Nadal at Roland-Garros. © Allaoua Meziani, France 24

Its impact on the Paris tournament is such that it was ruled on the Roland-Garros site in 2021, even though it is still active. This 3-metre-high steel statue, the work of Spanish sculptor Jordi Díez Fernandez, stands right in front of the entrance and has become a staple of public selfies upon arrival at Porte d'Auteuil.

"He's THE Roland player. It's his tournament."

Thierry sacrifices to this little ritual. This 59-year-old retiree with a slight southern accent comes to live his third Roland-Garros but regrets never having been able to see the living legend play. "We hoped for this year, but it won't be this time again," he said. "How sad!"

The same goes for the Mirande brothers. Romain, 22, and Nicolas, 25, come every year from Toulouse to experience the tournament: "It's sad. He's not our favorite player, but he's THE Roland player. It's his tournament," Romain praises.

Nicolas and Romain Mirande, faithful to the Roland-Garros rendezvous. © Romain Houeix, France 24

Emmanuelle, 34, came with her son Thimeo, 10. The latter describes himself as an absolute fan of the Mallorcan: "He's my favorite player," he says, after taking a photo with the statue of his idol.

The little tennis fan is very deprived when it comes to citing his favorite for the upcoming edition. And for good reason, the reign of Rafael Nadal, began well before his birth. He has simply always known the Spaniard winner of the France Open, with a few exceptions. One figure makes you dizzy: this is the first time since 1998 that neither the Mallorcan nor the Swiss Roger Federer, his great rival, are present at the tournament.

At the time, it was the last century and millennium. The France was focused on "My heart will go on" by Celine Dion and "Tribu de Dana" by Manau. The football France team had never won the World Cup final before. The next generation of French tennis, Arthur Fils and Luca Van Assche, were not born. On the other hand, despite the past 24 years, France is still waiting for successors to Bernard Hinault, OM and Yannick Noah, respectively the last French winners of the Tour de France (1985), the Champions League (1993) and the Roland-Garros men (1984).

"His little clone is coming"

Tennis fans surveyed are unanimous: "It's simply the end of an era."

Nadal takes place on the Roland-Garros list. © Pierre René-Worms, FMM

Rafael Nadal's reign is not yet completely over at Roland Garros. The Spaniard is still everywhere at the Porte d'Auteuil: in addition to the statue, his name reigns on the tournament list, inscribed in the Philippe-Chatrier stadium. It is still he who sits to the left of the men's draw, which is majestically displayed between the short annexes. It is also in his skin that fans can take pictures of themselves. His name is invited in all discussions. And the king still hopes to return for the 2024 edition, to conclude his love story with the French Grand Slam.

Everyone can put themselves in the shoes of Rafael Nadal. © Pierre René-Worms, FMM

In the meantime, a new generation with long teeth hopes to take its place. "Ruud", "Rune", "Sinner", "Medvedev"... Everyone announces their darling for the years to come. But one name comes back in everyone's mouths, that of the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, youngest world No. 1 in history last September, in the wake of his first Grand Slam title, at the US Open. Enough to force the comparison with his elder.

See also Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Rune... ambitious outsiders at Roland-Garros

"Fortunately, the little clone is coming. Roland-Garros will remain Spanish," jokes Thierry.

Author of a stratospheric season on clay so far, Carlos Alcaraz advances as a huge favorite. Twenty matches won out of 22 played, and three titles won (Buenos Aires, Barcelona and Rome). Roland-Garros has not finished writing in Spanish.

Nadal is everywhere at Roland-Garros © Pierre René-Worms, FMM

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