Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev, French Open Highlights: In what could be his last appearance at the French Open, 14-time champion Rafael Nadal lost his first round match against German fourth seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
He was also given a warm send-off in the Madrid Masters, all hinting that the French Open this year could be his last.
The meeting today afternoon would have brought contrasting memories for both players of the last time they met on the ATP tour, in the French Open semifinal in 2022.
While Zverev underwent surgery later and missed the rest of the calendar year, Nadal went on to win the French Open that year.
The German, however, did make a strong return in Paris last year when he made his third consecutive French Open semi-final.
Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev, French Open Highlights: In what could be his last appearance at the French Open, 14-time champion Rafael Nadal lost his first round match against German fourth seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets. Zverev won the match 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 and thus became just the third man after Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling to beat Nadal a the French Open....Read More
Nadal had earlier hinted that 2024 could be his final year in professional tennis. He was also given a warm send-off in the Madrid Masters, all hinting that the French Open this year could be his last. But upon arrival in Paris, he took to the press conference on Sunday to clarify that he is not yet ready to say goodbye to the most "magical place" in his career, thus leaving the door open for an appearance in 2025.
Nadal had missed last year's French Open tournament in addition to most of the 2023 season owing to his recovery from a hip injury incurred during the Australian Open in January. And hence, he would be raring to make the most of his return on Roland Garros, as will his fans, but standing in his way is fourth-seeded German Zverev, fresh from his triumph at the Italian Open.
The meeting today afternoon would have brought contrasting memories for both players of the last time they met on the ATP tour, in the French Open semifinal in 2022. Zverev, who lost a closely-contested opening set 6-7, was forced to retire during the second set tie-break after he had twisted his ankle. While Zverev underwent surgery later and missed the rest of the calendar year, Nadal went on to win the French Open that year. The German, however, did make a strong return in Paris last year when he made his third consecutive French Open semi-final.
