Why did the French Open cancel a farewell ceremony for Rafael Nadal? And why is he unseeded?

PARIS (AP) — The French tennis federation put off holding a ceremony to celebrate Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros this year, because he has said this might not necessarily be his final appearance at the tournament he has won a record 14 times.

Tournament director Amelie 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.