Rafael Nadal was given a hero’s welcome and greeted by chants of “Rafa” as he made his way onto Court Philippe Chatrier for a training session on Monday (May 20) as he prepares to compete in the French Open.

Nadal has won the Grand Slam title on the red clay a record 14 times and this year may be his last chance to add another title here as he has said he intends to retire at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old returns to his favorite Grand Slam after having to sit out Roland Garros last season due to injury.

The Spaniard spent most of last year nursing a hip issue that required surgery, before a muscle tear in Brisbane stalled his comeback in January.

He most recently played at the Italian Open where he was knocked out of the second round by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz earlier this month.

On the woman’s side, world number nine Ons Jabeur also took a spin on Court Philippe Chatrier as she chases her first Grand Slam title in Paris.

The French Open begins on May 26.

(Reuters)