‘Don’t Care Who’s There in the Locker Room’ – 27-Year-Old ATP Star Says Rafael Nadal’s Absence Will Not Be Felt by the Players at Roland Garros

The world is still reeling over Rafael Nadal‘s withdrawal from his favorite stomping ground at Roland Garros. Recurrent injury concerns have plagued him throughout the past 2 seasons, forcing him to take an extended break from competitive tennis. Rafael Nadal fans are heartbroken ever since he revealed that the 2024 season might be his last on the tour. Certainly, it would be an unfamiliar sight to watch the French Open without the great Spaniard tiptoeing his way onto Court Philippe Chatrier. His absence will level the playing field in Paris with the younger lot looking to make their mark.

But how different will the atmosphere be inside Roland Garros without Rafael Nadal? Here is what 27-year-old ATP ace Daniil Medvedev had to say about Nadal’s absence from the event.

Medvedev’s thoughts on a locker room without Rafael Nadal at the French Open

In his Roland Garros pre-tournament press conference, the 2021 US Open champion was asked what the locker room would feel like in a Rafa-less French Open this year. “I kind of feel like, and everyone says it, tennis has a short memory because you focus so much on yourself and on your tournament that you honestly don’t care who is there in the locker room or not”, Medvedev was prompt in his reply.

Considering his record against the ‘King of Clay’, his comments about Nadal’s absence won’t come as a surprise to anyone. The 14-time French Open champion has Daniil Medvedev’s number in overall head-to-head meetings. In 6 meetings over the years, Nadal has come out on top on 5 occasions with Medvedev winning once. They clashed in 2 grand slam finals, with the Spaniard edging past both times. Nadal’s memorable Australian Open victory in 2022, dubbed the ‘Miracle in Melbourne’, came at the expense of Medvedev when he made a famous comeback to win the match 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.

He went on, “Without him might be a new winner, who knows? With him, it was a little – or a lot less chances for this. So it’s definitely different. But again, some things like a locker room or something like this, people are so focused on themselves that I don’t think many people feel the difference.” 

With Nadal missing out on Roland Garros, Medvedev will surely fancy his chances as he looks to exorcise the ghosts from his past.

READ MORE: 19-Year-Old Rising ATP Star Oozes Confidence Ahead of the All-Crucial French Open as He Makes Bold Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic Statement

Can Daniil Medvedev win his second Grand Slam at Roland Garros?

Before a certain Carlos Alcaraz burst onto the scene, it was widely considered that Medvedev would be the one to dismantle the old guard and cement himself at the top of men’s tennis. Although clay is not his favorite surface, he would still be a considerable threat at the French Open. Moreover, he knows what it takes to perform on big occasions. He famously ended Novak Djokovic‘s calendar slam hopes in 2021 by defeating him in straight sets (6-4, 6-4, 6-4) at the US Open finals.

It will be interesting to see who has the last laugh in Paris come June 11. But no matter what, the King of Clay’s usual dominance on Court Philippe Chatrier will surely be dearly missed by the fans.

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