The tennis world is heartbroken over Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the 2023 French Open. However, many fans expressed a bittersweet joy at two-time finalist Dominic Thiem taking the King of Clay’s spot in the main draw.Rafael Nadal held a press conference on Thursday, May 18, at his tennis academy in Manacor, Spain, to announce an extended break from tennis. The 14-time champion also announced he wouldn’t return to Paris to defend his title. As a result, Dominic Thiem, who failed to get a wildcard at the tournament, has taken up the Spaniard’s place in the main draw.Thiem suffered a wrist injury in June 2021 and has struggled to return to form since returning to the ATP tour in March 2022. Clay remains the Austrian’s strongest surface, on which he has won 10 of his 17 career titles. The World No. 96 made it to consecutive French Open finals in 2018 and 2019, losing to Rafael Nadal both times.Tennis fans were glad the King of Clay’s spot in the main draw went to the two-time finalist, stating that there was “no better person” to replace the 14-time champion. They took to Twitter to express their hope that Thiem could make a dream run at the tournament and return to his old form.“Rafa probably wouldn’t have wanted it to go to anyone else (heart emoji),” wrote one user.clayanos 🧱@fedsipasrafa probably wouldn’t have wanted it to go to anyone else twitter.com/entrylists/sta…Entry List Updates@EntryListsRoland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmoh1097Roland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmohrafa probably wouldn’t have wanted it to go to anyone else ❤️ twitter.com/entrylists/sta…“If there can be a silver lining to Nadal's withdrawal from Roland Garros: his withdrawal gives direct entry into the main draw for 96th-ranked Dominic Thiem, a two-time French Open runner-up to Nadal who is still seeking form and comfort as he works his way back onto the tour,” wrote tennis journalist Ben Rothenburg.Ben Rothenberg@BenRothenbergIf there can be a silver lining to Nadal's withdrawal from Roland Garros: his withdrawal gives direct entry into the main draw for 96th-ranked Dominic Thiem, a two-time French Open runner-up to Nadal who is still seeking form and comfort as he works his way back onto the tour.15014If there can be a silver lining to Nadal's withdrawal from Roland Garros: his withdrawal gives direct entry into the main draw for 96th-ranked Dominic Thiem, a two-time French Open runner-up to Nadal who is still seeking form and comfort as he works his way back onto the tour.One user wrote this was the “best possible scenario” for tennis fans, while another stated the news has brought an “unmatched level of bittersweetness.”Ben Lewis@BenLewisMPCIncredibly enough Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal has opened a main draw entry spot for two-time Roland Garros finalist, Dominic Thiem.Probably the best possible scenario as for fans as win or lose, Thiem is often box office tennis twitter.com/entrylists/sta…Entry List Updates@EntryListsRoland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmoh61Roland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: MmohIncredibly enough Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal has opened a main draw entry spot for two-time Roland Garros finalist, Dominic Thiem.Probably the best possible scenario as for fans as win or lose, Thiem is often box office tennis twitter.com/entrylists/sta…Helene ~ 🖋@DomiBuckyUnmatched level of bittersweetness... twitter.com/EntryLists/sta…Entry List Updates@EntryListsRoland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmoh213Roland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: MmohUnmatched level of bittersweetness... twitter.com/EntryLists/sta…Here are more reactions from fans:mand@pre4ch03im crying🥲 they could not give it to any better person than him🥲🥹 twitter.com/entrylists/sta…Entry List Updates@EntryListsRoland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmoh199Roland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmohim crying🥲💔 they could not give it to any better person than him🥲🥹❤️ twitter.com/entrylists/sta…Non-anxiety Magnet (parody)@goesonrantsLife is a cruel joke sometimes twitter.com/EntryLists/sta…Entry List Updates@EntryListsRoland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmoh499Roland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: MmohLife is a cruel joke sometimes twitter.com/EntryLists/sta…sof || jannik sinner will be back@c4rlit0s55literally the best person to replace him🥲 twitter.com/entrylists/sta…Entry List Updates@EntryListsRoland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmoh299Roland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmohliterally the best person to replace him🥲💔 twitter.com/entrylists/sta…Zain Mustafa@ItzzZain10The prince of clay finally got one over the king. twitter.com/EntryLists/sta…Entry List Updates@EntryListsRoland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmoh699Roland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: MmohThe prince of clay finally got one over the king. twitter.com/EntryLists/sta…ライブルマ@結灯、涙香、志乃羽が大好き@raibura_GoatdalCome on Dominic Thiem, get back your 2019-2020 form twitter.com/EntryLists/sta…Entry List Updates@EntryListsRoland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmoh399Roland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: MmohCome on Dominic Thiem, get back your 2019-2020 form😭😭😭 twitter.com/EntryLists/sta…TC@TheTennisCapperWhat if…One Champion steps out, another steps in twitter.com/entrylists/sta…Entry List Updates@EntryListsRoland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: Mmoh1499Roland Garros update:OUT: NadalIN: ThiemNext: MmohWhat if…One Champion steps out, another steps in twitter.com/entrylists/sta… https://t.co/NZks0tsoMsRafael Nadal hopes to return in 2024 to say goodbyeRafael Nadal wants to return in 2024 to say goodbye to his favorite tournamentsRafael Nadal also announced that he is not hanging up his racquet yet. The 36–year-old hopes to return to the ATP tour in the 2024 season to say goodbye to his favorite tournaments, provided his health and fitness allow it.“My idea and my motivation is [to] try to enjoy and try to say goodbye [to] all the tournaments that have been important for me in my tennis career during [next] year and just try to enjoy that, being competitive and enjoying being on court,” said the Spaniard.The 22-time Grand Slam champion returned in 2022 after a career-threatening injury to pick up Major titles number 21 and 22 at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, respectively.However, an injury to the iliopsoas muscle in his left leg at the 2023 Australian Open has kept the former World No. 1 away from tennis since January. The King of Clay has also expressed that 2024 will “probably” be his last year as a tennis player.