RAFAEL Nadal has been knocked out of the French Open, the legendary Spaniard losing 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 to Alexander Zverev today.
The most successful men’s player in French Open history is out of the tournament in the first round for the first time in his career, while Zverev is only the third player to defeat him at Roland Garros.
Nadal, who has won a record 14 men’s singles titles in Paris, is a Roland Garros legend but has been battling with injuries for some time and was apparently not at his best today against the 27-year-old German.
The 37-year-old great is the only player in tennis history to win 14 singles titles at one Grand Slam tournament and he has won 112 of his 115 matches at the French Open – the highest winning percentage of any singles player at a major tournament.
Nadal is also the only player to win five successive titles at Roland Garros (2010 to 2014) as well as the only man to win four Grand Slam titles without dropping a set (2008, 2010, 2017 and 2020).
Nadal had only ever lost to two men at Roland Garros before today – Robin Soderling (2009 fourth round) and Novak Djokovic (2015 quarter-finals, 2021 semi-finals) — and he hinted that he might not return next year.
“It is difficult for me to talk, I don’t know if it’s the last time I’ll be here in front of all of you,” he said during his on-court interview after the straight sets loss.
“Honestly, I am not sure. If it is, then you have been amazing. The feelings I have today are difficult to describe in words. It is the place I love the most.
“I have to congratulate Sasha for this great match. I really wish you all the best in this tournament. 2022 was a tough moment for you so you deserve it.
“I have been going through a very tough two years in terms of injuries. I went all through these processes with the dream to be back here. The first round wasn’t ideal. I was competitive and I had chances but it was difficult against a player as good as Sasha.
“It’s hard to say about the future. I am travelling with my family and I am having fun. The body is feeling better than it did two months ago. Maybe in two months I say it’s enough. That is something I don’t feel yet. I hope to be back here for the Olympics, that motivates me. I really hope to be well prepared.
“The amount of feelings I had on this court throughout my career, I didn’t think I would be here almost 38 with all of the success. It has been a very beautiful process. All the people who are in Roland Garros helping me since I came here and the support of my people. I can’t thank them all enough. The feelings you made me feel here are unforgettable, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.
“I hope to see you again, but I don’t know.”
