Rafael Nadal lost in the first round of the French Open to Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Monday in what might turn out to be the 14-time Roland Garros champion’s last match at his favorite tournament.
Quick Read
- Rafael Nadal Loses in French Open First Round:
- Rafael Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, lost in the first round to Alexander Zverev with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3.
- This defeat might mark the end of Nadal’s illustrious career at Roland Garros, although he has not confirmed his retirement.
- Nadal’s Future Uncertain:
- Nadal hinted that 2024 could be his final season but did not rule out a return to the French Open.
- He expressed gratitude to the crowd at Court Philippe Chatrier for their support, despite his inability to play at his usual level due to injuries.
- Historic Loss:
- This is Nadal’s first-ever first-round exit at the French Open and his second consecutive loss on clay courts.
- Nadal’s ranking dropped to No. 275 due to limited play over the past 1 1/2 years, leading to an unseeded position.
- Match Details:
- The match lasted 3 hours and 5 minutes under the retractable roof, with Nadal struggling against Zverev.
- Nadal’s injuries over the past year and a half have included hip and abdominal issues, restricting his matches and performance.
- Zverev’s Reaction:
- Zverev, seeded No. 4, praised Nadal, calling it an honor to play against him and acknowledging Nadal’s impact on the tennis world.
- Zverev, the 2020 U.S. Open runner-up and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, has reached the French Open semifinals in the past three years.
- Nadal’s Record at Roland Garros:
- Nadal’s previous losses at the French Open were against Robin Soderling (2010) and Novak Djokovic (2015, 2021).
- Nadal’s son, Rafael Jr., was present in the stands during the match, witnessing what could be a significant moment in his father’s career.
The Associated Press has the story:
Rafael Nadal loses in the French Open’s first round to Alexander Zverev
Newslooks- PARIS (AP) —
Rafael Nadal lost in the first round of the French Open to Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Monday in what might turn out to be the 14-time Roland Garros champion’s last match at his favorite tournament.
![](https://www.newslooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24148602586979-1024x683.jpg)
Nadal has indicated 2024 likely would be his last season before retirement, but he said Saturday that he is not 100% sure he won’t play again at the French Open. And he reiterated that after Monday’s defeat, only his fourth in 116 career matches at the place.
![](https://www.newslooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24148600927446-1024x683.jpg)
When it ended, in anticlimactic fashion, with 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal simply unable to play at his usual level after 1 1/2 years of hip and abdominal injuries, he thanked the raucous Court Philippe Chatrier crowd for the “incredible the amount of energy” it provided throughout the 3 hours, 5 minutes of play.
![](https://www.newslooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24148553749131-1024x683.jpg)
“It’s difficult for me to talk. I don’t know (if) it’s going to be the last time I am here. I am not 100% sure,” said Nadal, whose 1 1/2-year-old son, Rafael Jr., sat on his mother’s lap in the stands. “If it’s the last time, I enjoyed it.”
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It is the first time in his long and illustrious career that Nadal has been beaten in two consecutive matches on clay courts and the first time he has dropped a match earlier than the fourth round at the French Open.
The match was played with the retractable roof shut, and the loud chants of “Ra-fa!” from most in the capacity crowd of about 15,000 echoed.
![](https://www.newslooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24148557547670-1024x683.jpg)
Nadal turns 38 on June 3 and he has been dealing with hip and abdominal injuries since January 2023, limiting him to 15 matches and an 8-7 record since the start of last year. His infrequent play dropped his ranking to No. 275 and he was unseeded for the French Open for the first time.
![](https://www.newslooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24148538214532-1024x683.jpg)
That is why he ended up facing the No. 4-seeded Zverev, the runner-up at the 2020 U.S. Open, a gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics and the only man to reach the semifinals in Paris each of the past three years.
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Nadal’s other losses at Roland Garros came against Robin Soderling in 2010 and against Novak Djokovic in 2015 and 2021.
![](https://www.newslooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24148382497786-1024x683.jpg)
“To be honest, I don’t know what to say. First of all: Thank you, Rafa, from all of the tennis world,” Zverev said. “It’s such a great honor. I’ve watched Rafa play all my childhood, and I was lucky enough to play Rafa when I became a professional. … Today is not my moment. It’s Rafa’s moment.”
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