Rafael Nadal loses in the French Open’s first round to Alexander Zverev

27 May at 4:02 pm

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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) —

Germany’s Alexander Zverev, left, kisses Spain’s Rafael Nadal after winning the game during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Monday, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after losing against Germany’s Alexander Zverev during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Monday, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal gestures after missing a shot against Germany’s Alexander Zverev during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Monday, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

“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.”

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.

Poland’s Iga Swiatek, bottom row fourth from left, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, top row third from left, and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, standing right in blue sweater and white cap, all watched Spain’s Rafael Nadal’s first round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Germany’s Alexander Zverev at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Monday, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

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.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal plays a shot against Germany’s Alexander Zverev during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Monday, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner clenches his fist after scoring a point against Christopher Eubanks of the U.S. during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Monday, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Nadal’s other losses at Roland Garros came against Robin Soderling in 2010 and against Novak Djokovic in 2015 and 2021.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner runs to play a shot against Christopher Eubanks of the U.S. during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Monday, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

“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.”