Rafael Nadal, the 14-time champion at the French Open, suffered a demoralizing first-round defeat against Alexander Zverev, likely signaling the end of his illustrious career at the tournament. The 37-year-old Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3, lost to Zverev, the world number four, with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3. This loss, his fourth in 116 matches at Roland Garros since his debut in 2005, raised questions about his long-term future in tennis.
Injuries have plagued Nadal, limiting him to only four events since January of the previous year. As a result, he is currently ranked 275th and was unseeded in Paris. However, he expressed uncertainty about his future in the sport, stating that he is “100 percent keeping the door open.” Tennis has brought him 22 Grand Slam titles, establishing him as one of the most successful players of all time.
Missed Opportunities and Crowd Support
Despite his defeat, Nadal had opportunities to win the match. He held a break of serve in the second and third sets, but Zverev, who was in top form at the age of 27, managed to break back each time. The crowd at Court Philippe Chatrier passionately supported Nadal with chants of “Rafa, Rafa,” despite the rain and disruptions to the schedule. However, their hopes were dashed when he lost his opening service game and failed to convert break points later on.
Tough Battles and Swift Comebacks
Nadal fought hard, saving two set points in the ninth game of the first set, but ultimately lost it after 50 minutes. In the second set, he broke his opponent for the first time, only to surrender the advantage and allow Zverev to take the set. A tense tie-breaker followed, which Zverev won, propelled by a grueling 19-shot rally. Nadal managed to make a comeback in the third set, breaking Zverev and taking a 2-0 lead, but the German player swiftly equalized the score. Nadal had to save four break points in a challenging fifth game to stay in contention, but his efforts proved futile. Zverev took the lead and sealed the match when Nadal hit a forehand wide and long.
Nadal’s defeat marks a significant moment in his career, and the tennis world eagerly awaits his decision on whether he will continue competing in the future.
