Tennis tournament forced to delay Rafael Nadal tribute by 12 months | Tennis | Sport
Monte-Carlo Masters organisers have delayed a planned tribute to Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard is the tournament’s most successful player, having won the men’s singles title 11 times before his retirement last year.
The 38-year-old lifted the silverware for eight consecutive years from 2005 to 2012, winning 73 of his 79 matches at the famous Monaco venue. However, he was denied a farewell appearance in 2024 as injury prevented him taking his place in the main draw. He will still get an opportunity to wave goodbye to the crowds, but at his own request, that opportunity has been delayed by 12 months.
Tournament director David Massey has explained that instead, Nadal will first be honoured at the French Open at Roland Garros. It’s where the all-time great won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles, famously earning him the nickname ‘The King of Clay’, and a special tribute has been planned when the event gets underway on May 25.
“I understand that he’s saving himself for Roland Garros,” Massey told RMC Sports. “So, he’ll go to Roland Garros – I believe everything is already planned with them.
“It will be a big moment at a tournament that has meant so much to him. We’ve set our sights on 2026. We understand that he wants to keep all of that (the tributes) for this year at Roland Garros. But we’re eager to see him in 2026.”
The Masters 1000 tournament traditionally serves the world’s elite players with vital preparation for Paris. Nadal’s last win there came in 2018, and Stefanos Tsitsipas is the current reigning champion after beating Casper Ruud in the 2024 final.
