The French Open said it would also honour its 2000 women's champion Mary Pierce as well as fellow local favourite Richard Gasquet, who will retire after the tournament this year.
Alexander Zverev will be third seed for the French Open but the 28-year-old German's prospects of winning his first Grand Slam title in Paris are not looking especially bright.
Carlos Alcaraz fought back from the brink to outlast top seed Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) in a French Open final for the ages on Sunday to retain his crown and cement his status as the Prince of Clay in Roland Garros' post-Rafa Nadal era.
Nadal skipped tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami as well as the ongoing Monte Carlo Masters after suffering the injury he suffered at the Australian Open.
The French Open, which Nadal has won a record 14 times including last year, starts on May 28.
Sierra, who had already checked out of her accommodation, learned only at lunchtime on Monday that Belgium's Greet Minnen had pulled out of the tournament and that she had been selected in the draw for a lucky loser spot in the main draw.
Carlos Alcaraz said he could hold his head high despite being unseated from his Wimbledon throne by Jannik Sinner on Sunday and the Spaniard praised their hot rivalry for being several notches higher than the others on the men's tour.
Nadal said he needs to stop playing for the foreseeable future to make a full recovery and return for what he anticipates will be his farewell season.
Novak Djokovic admitted reality was beginning to bite after the Serb was unable to bridge a 15-year age gap in a Wimbledon semi-final drubbing against Italian Jannik Sinner on Friday.
Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal all took to social media to congratulate the Italian.
Rafael Nadal will miss the Monte Carlo Masters as his return from injury has been delayed further.
Mondo Duplantis was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, while American gymnast Simone Biles bagged the top women's honour at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
Nadal had arrived in Paris nursing a nagging foot injury and even brought a doctor with him to improve his chances
Nadal appeared close to retiring mid-match but found the will to beat Fritz
Rafael Nadal is aiming to successfully defend his Australian Open title at the first Grand Slam of the year in January after an injury-plagued 2022.
'Let's be confident, let's be positive and let's see what's going on'
The 22-time major champion Rafael Nadal addressed the prospect that 2024 could be his final year as an ATP professional, confessing that it is indeed a reality that he might hang up his racquets at the end of next season.
Fears that Rafael Nadak may miss the French Open grew after he pulled out of this week's Italian Open.
Although hampered by a chronic foot injury that saw him out in the last 16 of the Italian Open, an event that precedes the French Open, the 21-time Grand Slam champion has looked pain-free in his bid for a 14th French Open crown.
Novak Djokovic will prepare for a tilt at an 11th Australian Open title by representing Serbia at the United Cup mixed team tournament while old rival Rafael Nadal and former women's world number one Naomi Osaka return at Brisbane after time away.
World number one Jannik Sinner defeated record-chasing Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) in a clash of generations on Friday to set up a blockbuster French Open final showdown with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Rafael Nadal has not played since sustaining a hip injury at the Australian Open in January.
'It'll also be difficult for him, tennis requires that competitive rhythm, but Rafa is Rafa, even if he arrives without many matches, he'll surely show a spectacular level.'
'RIP Diogo. Condolences to his family and friends during this incredibly sad time,' former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard posted.
While 36-year-old Nadal defies age with his gritty wins amidst a barrage of injuries, 47-year-old Beckham is ageing like fine wine.
Australian tennis great Rod Laver said that watching Nadal compete had been a privilege.
Rafael Nadal's absence from Indian Wells saw the 22-times Grand Slam champion slip out of the top 10 for the first time since 2005.
At Wimbledon, on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, both Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios were cheered and egged on by their respective partners from the players' box.
Djokovic is the last member of the "Big Four" still standing and the Serb said he wanted to continue giving to the sport.
The unanswerable question, of course, is whether Djokovic is the GOAT. That's a complex issue over which fans will forever bicker, observes Kanika Datta.
The ravages of two decades on tour mean Rafael Nadal has rarely been able to prepare for majors like other players, forcing him to rely on skills and mental fortitude.
Rafael Nadal suffered a freak injury when his racquet bounced off the court and struck him sharply on the bridge of his nose during his second round match against Italian Fabio Fognini at the US Open on Thursday.
Nadal believes he had no reason to feel alarmed ahead of the season's first Grand Slam starting in two weeks.
Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the 16th time but it proved a hard day's work at his Centre Court office.
Nadal surpassed the haul of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Images from Day 1 of the 2025 French Open in Paris on Sunday.
The Diario de Mallorca and other Spanish media said the 36-year-old Nadal, who has won a men's record 22 Grand Slam titles, and his wife, Mery Perello, were blessed with a baby boy at a clinic on the island of Mallorca where they live.
Russian seventh seed Daniil Medvedev, the 2023 Miami champion who arrived this year fresh off a run to the Indian Wells semi-finals, crashed out at the first hurdle as he fell 6-2, 6-3 to Spaniard Jaume Munar.
Nadal, who would pass fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno as the oldest Roland Garros men's singles champion if he wins, had to dig deep again in a three-hour slugfest in the semi-final against Alexander Zverev before the German was forced to retire mid-match after injuring his ankle.
The 35-year-old also paid tribute to Messi, who played for Real's arch-rivals Barcelona.
