Why did French Open organisers cancel farewell ceremony for Rafael Nadal?

Legendary tennis player Rafael Nadal, currently in the final essay of his illustrious career, will not be getting a farewell ceremony at the French Open, irrespective of his fate at the second major of the year, according to the tournament organisers.

Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo revealed Nadal had informed the officials that he did not want to close the door on a potential return to Paris where he has been victorious on 14 occasions. A farewell ceremony had been planned but it was shunned at the last moment after Nadal's hint.

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“As you can imagine, we had something planned for him. But because he doesn’t know if it’s going to be his last Roland Garros or not, he wants to leave the door open maybe to come back next year as a player. So we are not going to push him, obviously, to do anything,” Mauresmo said.

Final appearance at Roland Garros?

After informing the officials, Nadal during a pre-match conference addressed the speculations on his final French Open appearance.

The Spaniard said while there is a huge chance it could be his last dance, he wasn't 100 per cent sure about it.

“Honestly, no? I am improving in different ways. I have less limitations that three, four weeks ago, without a doubt. And in terms if this is going to be my last Roland Garros, it's a long answer, but I think I need to answer that, because we're gonna avoid future questions since the beginning so I'm gonna do it," said the 22-time Major champion.

Nadal has been struggling with injuries for the last two years which has limited his game time. Since January last year, he has only played 15 matches as a hip injury and muscle tear have kept him in rehabilitation.

He returned to action on his favourite surface - clay, playing at Barcelona and Madrid Masters before also giving a go in Rome. However, he was beaten in the second round in Barcelona by Alex de Minaur. The Spaniard took revenge on the Australian in Madrid before being knocked out by Jiri Lehecka in the last 16.

He was then beaten comfortably by Hubert Hurkacz in the second round of the Rome Open.

Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3 and has said previously he expects this to be his last season started off the first round match against Alexander Zverev in the most anticlimactic way by dropping a game on his maiden serve of the tournament.

(With inputs from agencies)