Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, faced a demoralizing defeat at the hands of world number four Alexander Zverev in what is likely to be his final appearance at Roland Garros. The 14-time French Open champion was bested in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, marking only his fourth loss in 116 matches at the French Open since his debut in 2005.
At nearly 38 years old, Nadal’s exit in the first round of the tournament has raised questions about his long-term future in tennis. Despite this, Nadal remains non-committal about retirement, stating, “I don’t know if this is the last time I will be here. I am not 100 percent sure, but if it is, then I wanted to enjoy it.”
Injuries have plagued Nadal, limiting him to just four events since January last year. This decline has seen his ranking drop to 275, leaving him unseeded in Paris. Nevertheless, Nadal emphasized on the eve of the tournament that he was “100 percent keeping the door open” regarding his future in the sport.
The match against Zverev was a repeat of their 2022 semifinal, which Nadal won after Zverev retired due to an ankle injury. Despite leading by a break in the second and third sets, Nadal was unable to maintain his advantage, ultimately falling to his in-form 27-year-old opponent.
Under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier, the crowd’s chants of “Rafa, Rafa” gradually faded as Nadal’s performance faltered. He struggled to convert break points and committed crucial errors, surrendering the first set after 50 minutes. Although he broke Zverev’s serve to lead 3-2 in the second set, he couldn’t sustain the momentum and lost the set in a tense tie-breaker.
Nadal showed resilience in the third set, breaking and holding for a 2-0 lead, but Zverev responded swiftly, leveling the score. Nadal managed to save four break points in a 13-minute fifth game, but the effort took its toll. Zverev gained control, eventually closing out the match as Nadal’s forehand sailed wide and long.
Nadal’s possible farewell to the French Open has left a significant mark on the tennis world, with fans and fellow players alike acknowledging his incredible career and contributions to the sport.