Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios, Emma Raducanu, Andy Murray, and Others Join Rafael Nadal in an Unfortunate Players List for French Open 2023

The French Open is one of the few tournaments in the tennis calendar that elicits a unique response from the fans. After all, it is the only clay court major of the year. The best of the best on both the ATP and WTA Tour battle it out in the second Grand Slam of the season. Each match will be played with an intensity one will rarely see. However, as it is with each tournament, many are unable to compete due to a variety of reasons.

This season’s Roland Garros will see the absence of several high-profile stars. This could spell out good news, as it would give new talents a chance to climb to the top and show their potential.

Rafael Nadal

The most sorely missed player in the French Open is the King of Clay. Rafael Nadal first played in the French Open in 2005 and has rightfully claimed his title as the King of Clay. He hasn’t missed the major since making his debut in the red dirt of Paris. However, for the first time in his career, the Spaniard will be missing the tournament.

In a press conference on 18th May, Rafa announced that he would not be able to contest in the clay major. After sustaining an injury in the Australian Open, Nadal has been unable to compete in any tournament. There was immense speculation about his return in the clay season but he has not played in any championship.

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Along with the withdrawal announcement, Nadal also dropped some hints about the 2024 season being his last year of playing professionally. Now, the only thing Nadal fans can do is wait for him to return to court.

Andy Murray

Apart from Nadal, another member of the Big 4 has also announced his withdrawal. The British tennis legend Andy Murray will be absent from the Roland Garros for the third consecutive year. Although the Scotsman participated in each tournament in the clay season, he has dropped out of the Major. He looked to be in shaped for the clay season finale. But he decided otherwise and looks forward to stay in shape for the Wimbledon.

Over the course of his career, Murray hasn’t fared in Paris, as he has only reached one final. He received a wild card in 2020 only to be ousted in the first round by Stan Wawrinka in straight sets.

Nick Kyrgios

The controversial Australian player is another player whose name has been added to the unfortunate list. Nick Kyrgios first announced his withdrawal before the Australian Open due to an injury. It was later revealed that the injury required surgery. Ever since January, the Aussie star has been in recovery and has not played in any tournaments this season.

Although Kyrgios was planning to come back to the court at Roland Garros, a foot injury forced him to stay out of the tour for a few more weeks. His comeback this season will most likely be in the Wimbledon Championships.

Emma Raducanu

Another player from the United Kingdom had to withdraw from the French Open. Emma Raducanu announced the heartbreaking news of her withdrawal from the WTA Tour due to a nagging injury. Her 2023 season was not a reflection of her true talent. She wasn’t faring well in the clay season and had to drop out in the Madrid Open just before her first round.

It was later revealed that the young star had surgeries on both her wrists and her left ankle. Not skipping a beat, Raducanu announced that she would be absent from the French Open and the Wimbledon. Fans worldwide wished Raducanu a speedy recovery with the hopes that she would play soon. However, she does hope to come back to the US Open and recreate her 2021 miracle victory.

Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka is another former number 1 player who will not play the Roland Garros. But her reason is entirely different from other players on the list. Although Osaka’s performance has not been up to the mark, she is staying away from Paris due to injury. The Japanese player is currently pregnant and is on a hiatus. She announced the happy news in January and subsequently withdrew from the Australian Open.

Osaka’s history with the French Open has not been a good one. Her best record in the clay major so far has been round 3 in 2016, 2018 and 2019. She will be most likely back next season and could shine like her younger self.

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Simona Halep

While most players on this list are out due to injury, Simona Halep is away from the championship due to her ban. Halep was found guilty of doping after last year’s US Open. She could have received a ban up to four years. However, she has only been provisionally banned as she awaits to present her case to an independent committee.

Halep has not played since the Tokyo Open 2022. So far, no further proceeding has taken place and Halep let her despair be known to the world on Instagram.

Matteo Berrettini

Matteo Berrettini also withdrew from the French Open due to an injury. Berrettini has been struggling with injury for quite some time, as he had to withdraw from the Italian Open and the Madrid Open as well. Many tennis fans believe that the Italian player is not living up to the potential that he showcased when he first broke into the professional circuit.

He shared a picture of himself in a grass court on Instagram, stating that he will return during the grass season in the Boss Open in Stuttgart.

Marin Čilić

Marin Čilić is another former top 5 player who will not play in the clay major. Like Kyrgios, Čilić has also been out of action since before the Australian Open due to a knee surgery. The Croatian player created his best record in the Roland Garros last year. He played in the semifinal but lost to runner-up Casper Ruud in four sets. As of now, there is little to no information about the return of Čilić on court.

With so many players missing this season, the French Open is bound to see a new face win, that is, if Novak Djokovic doesn’t win the title.

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