There is great anticipation for the highlight duel at the French Open. Will Zverev ensure a bitter Roland Garros farewell for the legend? Or will Nadal end the German’s title hopes early?
Even before their eagerly awaited clay court spectacle, the two tennis aces Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal eyed each other up close. As the Spanish clay court king practiced serves in a sweaty gray muscle shirt, the German tournament hopeful looked over with interest as he entered the Jean Bouin training center.
On Monday, the two world-class players will face each other in a direct duel. A top-class showdown in front of 15,000 spectators on Court Philippe Chatrier right at the start of the French Open.
The organizers called it the “popcorn” match of the first round – perhaps it will be the highlight of the entire tournament. It has everything that promises a great exchange of blows. Myth versus momentum, record champion versus Olympic champion. The knowledge that it could be Nadal’s last appearance at his favorite tournament on his farewell tour. Add to that the memories of the semifinal drama in Paris two years ago, when Zverev first met Nadal at eye level, then twisted his ankle and was subsequently pushed off the court in a wheelchair.
Initially thought to be a joke
“I really wanted to play against Rafa again in my career. I didn’t want my last memory of playing against Nadal to be being wheeled out in a wheelchair,” said Zverev. After his brother and manager Mischa told him about the draw, he initially thought it was a joke. The Hamburg native has since come to terms with the tough draw. “I’m happy that I get to play against such a legend again.”
Especially since the signs are different now: After his Masters triumph in Rome, Zverev, who is ten years younger, goes into the match as the favorite and absolute title candidate. The great Nadal (37), who has a surreal match record of 122 wins and 3 losses at the Stade Roland Garros and has never been knocked out in the first round here, is an outsider. Because of his long injury-related absence, he is not seeded this time at the second Grand Slam tournament of the year, unlike Zverev, who is fourth in the world rankings.
Curiously, the match will not be played at prime time in Nadal’s “living room”, Court Philippe Chatrier, but in the afternoon. According to media reports, the organizers have complied with the Spaniard’s request. Zverev is known to not like early matches. A first mind game?
Mental strength required
Either way, Zverev will need mental strength in addition to his usual “weapons” of serve and backhand against Nadal. “He goes through the gate, plays on the Philippe Chatrier – and something happens to him and his opponents,” said tennis icon Boris Becker on Eurosport: “Rafa and Roland Garros – that is the greatest love story in tennis.”
Becker advised the German number 1 to approach the early highlight match as “emotionlessly” as possible. He should not play “against the myth of Nadal”, but against “the current Nadal of today: a 37-year-old Spaniard from Mallorca”. Advice that Zverev deliberately ignored. “I don’t think so,” he said when asked about it: “In my head, I assume that I’m playing against a Rafael Nadal at his peak.”
Zverev repeated like a mantra that Nadal would return to “the old Rafael Nadal” in Paris and “play his best tennis”. “For me, there is no question mark.” Roger Federer, once the Spaniard’s great rival and “now a big fan of Rafa”, also said: “I believe that Rafa is still capable of a great run at Roland Garros.”
Nadal’s favorite surface: clay
Nadal, who has shaped the tournament like no other for almost two decades, not only because of his 14 overall victories, sees “at least a little hope”. Since his latest comeback in mid-April, the 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner has only shown mixed performances on his favorite surface, clay. But he has felt better in training in recent days. “If I didn’t have the hope in my heart of being successful here,” said the ambitious player, “I wouldn’t be here now.”
Nadal, whose glorious career will most likely end in 2024, did not travel to Paris just for the warm farewell applause. For the surprise against Zverev, the tournament favorite is also counting on the “great support of the people, that gives me a lot of power”.
Zverev knows that the atmosphere in the stands will be a decisive factor. “The French fans are very loud. When they are for you, it is always much, much more pleasant than when they are against you,” said Zverev, who has also earned sympathy points given his own special history in the tournament: “I have a great relationship with Paris.”
Source: Stern
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