RAFA NADAL is set to have a long-term role at the French Open.
Organisers said farewell to their greatest champ this year, marking the 14 men’s singles titles he won before retiring in 2024.
A special on-court presentation on day one was attended by the Spanish tennis king’s great rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
A plaque was unveiled in his honour and event boss Amelie Mauresmo said he could work with the event in years to come, possibly as an ambassador.
She said: “It’s now the common desire of the tournament and of Rafa to have some form of collaboration.
“We focused on what was happening this year with the communications campaign and homage.
“But we will resume our discussions so this story the tournament has had with Rafa over the past 20 years may continue in one way or another.”
Former Wimbledon and Australian Open champ Mauresmo said the event may continue to use line judges in 2026 — even though the other three Grand Slams axed them in favour of calls automatic from Hawk Eye.
Mauresmo, 45, said: “We are The Last of the Mohicans to some extent with line judges so will look at that question again, with the pluses and minuses.
“We couldn’t say that the system of electronic refereeing on clay courts was very reliable so the question remains open.”
Nadal was not in the stands to yesterday’s men’s final between his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Though everyone inside Court Philippe Chatrier got treated to an incredible five hour and 29 minutes match that will go down as one of the greatest ever major finals.
Alcaraz was down two sets and Sinner had a whopping three match points in the fourth.
Yet he retained his Roland Garros crown, winning 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (10-2).
Alcaraz, 22, has now won five Grand Slams and only Bjorn Borg and Nadal have done so younger.
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