The organisers of Roland Garros have cancelled a pre-planned farewell ceremony for 14-time winner Rafael Nadal.
The announcement comes hours after Nadal revealed that the ongoing edition of the clay-court Grand Slam might not be his last.
Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo said Sunday, Day 1 of the clay-court Grand Slam event, that Nadal let officials know he didn't want to close the door on a return before he told the world that at a pre-tournament news conference.
News agency AP quoted Mauresmo as quoting, 'As you can imagine, we had something planned for him. But ... because he doesn't know if it's going to be his last Roland Garros or not, he wants to leave the door open maybe to come back next year as a player. So we are not going to push him, obviously, to do anything.'
Though Nadal expects this to be his last year in tennis, he said, 'Maybe the last one, maybe not,' adding that he doesn't want to create confusion regarding his choice.
Mauresmo added, 'It's his decision when he wants to have a proper ceremony, a proper goodbye, a proper farewell. So we're not going to do it this year. That's his wish.'
French Open were ready to bid him goodbye this year as well but Mauresmo stated it is upto the former world no. 1 what he decides to do and said, 'We are ready whenever he feels he wants to do it. Later this year; next year; anytime he wants.'
Nadal will take on Alexander Zverev in the opening round on Monday.