The 14-time king of Roland-Garros, Rafael Nadal, has been included on the entry list for the 2024 French Open, alongside British superstar Andy Murray.
However, there isn’t such good news for Great Britain in the women’s draw, with Emma Raducanu not guaranteed of her place in Paris.
Murray is currently out of action with an unknown return date, after sustaining ruptured ankle ligaments at the Miami Open in March, although he doesn’t require surgery. Indeed, a spokesperson confirmed earlier this week that “his rehab is going well”.
Incredibly, Murray has played in just one French Open match since his semi-final appearance in 2017. He lost in straight sets against Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the 2020 edition, missing every other year through injury.
The 36-year-old has made the semi-finals four times across his career, with his three Grand Slam wins coming at Wimbledon (2013 and 2016) and the US Open (2012).
Another man who has struggled greatly with injury, Nadal, is of course no stranger to tasting glory on the clay courts of South Paris, though was absent last year after previously winning five in six.
In fact, he has missed out on four consecutive grand slams, with his most recent appearance being a second-round exit via straight sets to Michael McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open. The Spanish icon has since seen his place at the top of the all-time standings for major wins (22) taken by Novak Djokovic (24).
Meanwhile, Raducanu will have a much tougher task to climb back to the top of the mountain, following her 2021 US Open triumph. In the nine grand slams since, she has appeared at six, failing to make it past the second round on every occasion.
As such, the 21-year-old has plummeted in the world rankings to No.303, and is not assured of a place at Roland-Garros. One of three scenarios will see her make it: five players withdraw, progression via the qualifiers, or a wildcard entry.
In more positive news for Raducanu, she claimed she is playing ‘career-best tennis’ this week, after helping Great Britain qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup finals with a win against France.