When a teenaged Rafa Nadal bounced in to Roland Garros in pirate pants and sleeveless shirt in May 2005 before scything through the draw, few realised it marked the start of an unprecedented era of sporting domination.
Rafael Nadal on Thursday announced he will retire after the Davis Cup finals in November, ending a career which brought 22 Grand Slam titles, global respect and inspired epic, iconic rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Iga Swiatek goes into Saturday's French Open final as the overwhelming favourite in her quest for a third successive Roland Garros title against surprise challenger Jasmine Paolini of Italy.
The world number one is just one match away from becoming the first woman to win the tournament in three straight years since Justine Henin in 2007 after a 6-2, 6-4 victory.
he injury, sustained in his fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo, ended the Serb's quest to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam trophy and will result in him losing his top ranking to Italian Jannik Sinner on Monday.
Alexander Zverev advanced to his fourth successive French Open semifinal with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 win over Australian 11th seed Alex de Minaur on Wednesday.
Italy's Jasmine Paolini reached her first Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open on Wednesday after dumping out fourth seed Elena Rybakina 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
Jannik Sinner took an unexpected path to the world number one ranking on Tuesday after Novak Djokovic's French Open withdrawal but the youngster said it was the culmination of years of hard work and represented a proud moment for Italy.
"Due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee (discovered during an MRI scan performed today), Novak Djokovic... has been forced to withdraw from the Roland Garros tournament," organisers said in a statement.
The Serbian pulled off another astonishing escape as he reached a 15th consecutive French Open quarter-final.
The 24-time Grand Slam title winner made the last 16 by defeating Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in a bruising five-set epic which concluded at 3:07 am Sunday.
Novak Djokovic can equal Roger Federer's record for Grand Slam match wins by beating Lorenzo Musetti at the French Open on Saturday.
Swiatek wrapped up victory after nearly three hours.
Wimbledon champion Alcaraz, who made the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year, scrambled to a 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 second round victory over a player taking part in only his second Grand Slam main draw.
Djokovic, chasing a fourth title at Roland Garros and record 25th Grand Slam triumph, came through against 142nd-ranked French opponent Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.
They are six young Italians dressed as carrots who are at the French Open in a colourful attempt to inspire Sinner to victory.
Nada suffered only his fourth loss in 116 matches at Roland Garros since his 2005 title-winning debut.
"Of course, on paper it is not the best draw," Nadal said ahead of the match on Court Philippe Chatrier
Rafael Nadal admits he will be facing "one of the toughest opponents possible" when he plays Alexander Zverev in the French Open first round on Monday.
