LONGING FOR LAST TANGO IN PARIS

Djokovic pins hope on farewell meeting with his great rival Nadal at Roland Garros

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Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters has cast doubt on the 22time Grand Slam champion's participation at the French Open, but Novak Djokovic said he is still hoping for a final chapter in their storied rivalry.

The 37-year-old Spaniard, who has said he expected to retire after the 2024 season, returned to competition in Brisbane in January, af-

ter almost a year sidelined with a hip flexor injury, but has not played an ATP event since.

"As a tennis fan, I want him to play at least one more tournament before he retires," world No. 1 Djokovic told Eurosport in an interview published on April 6.

"We all know what he's done on clay in his career, particularly Roland Garros.

"That's his goal, we all know that, he's been saying it. For the sake of tennis and Roland Garros in particular, we hope that he can play there. It would be great to have another great encounter.