Nadal's first French Open win set him on a path to untold dominance. Here's how it unfolded, according to those that lived it.

Rafael Nadal is being celebrated during a ceremony in the main stadium of the French Open on Day 1 of the tournament.

Rafael Nadal would have liked 2024 to be a normal season for him, in which to try to win some more important titles and prove to the world that he can also defeat time. However – from the beginning of last year – it was clear to everyone that the Spanish legend was no longer competitive at the highest level for a number of reasons.