Rafael Nadal called a press conference to announce his absence from this year's Roland-Garros, which tennis supporters hope will be the only time.
The 36-year-old champion, who will turn 37 in one month, hasn't missed the French Grand Slam since his season was destroyed by an ankle injury in 2004.
But as the tournament gets underway on Monday of this week, it's becoming more and more likely he won't be there to defend his title.
On Thursday evening (AEST), he will address the media and is anticipated to announce his resignation.
Fans are praying that this does not signal the end of his tennis career, which is on par with those of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as the greatest in the history of the sport for men.
Nadal sits equal with Djokovic on a record 22 men's major singles titles, and has won Roland-Garros a record 14 times, including last year to become the tournament's oldest champion at 36.
He is known as the king of clay, having won 63 of his 92 titles on the surface which the French Open is played on.
Nadal last played at the Australian Open where he lost to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round and was badly hampered by injury.A hip flexor injury has sidelined him since, and now looks set to rob him of his Roland-Garros defence.
Since the injury he has missed events in Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, and the Italian Open this week.
Of the big three, Federer retired from professional tennis last year, while Djokovic continues to compete and was on Thursday knocked out of the Italian Open.
