Nadal's return: Mouratoglou says there's "no reason" why Rafa should not be "the favourite for Roland Garros"
Tennis News
Patrick Mouratoglou has said that there is "no reason" why Rafael Nadal should not be considered among the favorites for the title at the 2024 Roland Garros.
22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal has spent a lot of his highly successful career dominating the clay courts at the French Open, having won the major a record fourteen times between 2005 and 2022.
However, the Spaniard has been absent for most of this season due to injury and undergoing surgery. He last played at the 2023 Australian Open where he was ousted by Mackenzie McDonald in the second round.
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Nadal not getting hopes up but Mouratoglou believes in him
The 37-year-old revealed that he would be aiming to return to the sport at the 2024 Australian Open in what would possibly be his final season before retirement. However, he was subdued about his chances of success at majors upon his return.
Nevertheless, well-known coach Mouratoglou has said that he still believes Nadal has the ability to win the Roland Garros and that fans should not count him out. He stated that the Big Three member will 'play fully' next season.
"When it comes to Rafa I understand he doesn't want to feel pressure and he wants people to think that he's coming next year to say goodbye, but that's not the type of guy. He's going to play fully. He will have enough time to practice," he said.
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"Historically, he's a player that needs to play a lot. The real question mark is how much injury-free will he be in 2024. If he doesn't have pain and is free to play next year, there is no reason to think that he will not be dangerous/the favourite for Roland Garros," he continued.
Mouratoglou has previously praised Nadal's almost unbeatable status at the French Open.
"Nobody’s done what he has on clay or at Roland Garros. This has been his tournament for so long now. When he reaches 2nd week, he's not unbeatable because nobody is, but Rafa is close," he said.
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- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.
mandoist31-10-2026









