Rafael Nadal honored at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal’s presence is still shaping Roland Garros even after retirement. CNN reported that Nadal made a final walk around Court Philippe-Chatrier during a presentation ceremony honoring his career, a scene that has carried into the build-up to the 2026 French Open. In Paris this week, that farewell has sat alongside a new benchmark for the men’s field: Jannik Sinner has arrived as the tournament favorite, and two other veterans, Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils, are playing what they say will be their last French Opens. ### Why is Nadal still part of the story in Paris? Rafael Nadal remains the reference point at Roland Garros because his record there is unmatched. The ATP Tour said Nadal was honored in a special farewell ceremony at Roland Garros last year and took a final bow on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where he won 14 titles. That ceremony, and the imagery around it, has continued to frame discussion of the tournament as the 2026 edition begins. (atptour.com) Court Philippe-Chatrier is the site most closely tied to Nadal’s dominance in Paris. The ATP Tour and Roland Garros both described the tribute as a ceremony marking the legacy of the tournament’s most decorated champion, with footage and coverage centered on Nadal’s final walk on the main court. ### Why is Jannik Sinner being measured against Nadal now? (atptour.com) Jannik Sinner is being measured against Nadal because the betting market has made him an even stronger pre-tournament favorite than Nadal was in any of his title years. Yahoo Sports reported that Sinner entered Roland-Garros at around minus-325 to win the men’s title, a shorter price than Nadal carried across all 14 of his championship runs in Paris. (atptour.com) Yahoo said that comparison does not argue Sinner is a greater clay-court player than Nadal. The comparison is about market position entering the event, and it comes with a major caveat: Carlos Alcaraz is not in the field, which changes the shape of the draw and the odds. (sports.yahoo.com) ### Why do Wawrinka and Monfils add to the farewell mood? Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils are adding to the mood in Paris because both are making what they have said will be their final French Open appearances. The Associated Press reported on May 22 that both players announced plans to retire at the end of the season and are back for a last run at Roland Garros. (sports.yahoo.com) Wawrinka, now 41, won the French Open in 2015, while Monfils has long been one of the tournament’s most popular home players. AP said both men have slipped in the rankings, but remain closely identified with some of the event’s recent history and with the Paris crowd. ### What does that leave fans watching this week? (apnews.com) The 2026 French Open is opening with three overlapping storylines: Nadal’s legacy, Sinner’s status as the clear favorite, and the last Paris appearances of Wawrinka and Monfils. The official draw has already placed Sinner and Novak Djokovic in opposite halves, preserving the possibility of a final between them if both advance. (apnews.com) Sunday’s start in Paris is the next marker. Roland Garros begins main-draw play then, with Sinner opening as the top men’s seed and Wawrinka and Monfils beginning the last French Open campaigns of their careers. (apnews.com) (sports.yahoo.com)