For the first time since Rafael Nadal called on his extraordinary career, he starts without the further perspective of his most dominant champion, and Roland-Garros turns on the golden era, in the 14th anniversary winner he was happy to leave her behind the stage behind him.

Spaniard, which was officially retired in November 2024. years, he said for the French sports diary L’Equipe that no longer miss competitiveness and enjoys normal life without hospital after the rich criminal injury.

“I feel good today, not because I returned to the tennis court, but because I live a normal life without pain”, “ Nadal said. “I don’t miss play. I knew I had reached my limit.”

This year’s tournament is the first of the post-Nadal era, a symbolic shift for the event so long synonymous with his name.

As the next generation of candidates is preparing for the stake for the claim on the clay, Nadal watches from Afar, accepting life outside the tour.

“For the first 40 days after I stopped I was hard because I felt I could still play good” Nadal admitted. “But my foot disabled.”

He now shares his time between family life, his academy and new projects. Nadal says that he does not rely on the freedom of life without rigid requirements of the tour and there are no regrets that his career took place.

“I had a wonderful life out of court” He said. “Tennis was a huge part of that, but it was never anything.”

Nadal set aside the world JANNIK SINNER and Carlos Alcaraz as the current male game leaders, at the same time standing out Holger Rune, Jack Draperand Jakub fascinates as in the formation of talents.

Looking back, Nadal said that his proud achievement was not his record wool hoof, but also his ability to preserve his enthusiasm and values ​​through years of strenuous competitions and injuries.

“My ability to constantly improve and surround with me to real people is what I appreciate the most”, He said. “Fame and extremes – None of that took away the things I love, like my family, friends, sea and other sports.”