The historic Spanish tennis player was defeated in three straight sets against the German, in the first round of the French Grand Slam that he knew how to win 14 times.
The Spanish Rafael Nadalfourteen-time champion of Roland Garroscould not work the miracle against the German Alexander Zverevfourth world player, to whom he lost 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) and 6-3this Monday in the first round of the Parisian tournament.
At almost 38 years old and having barely played since 2022 due to injuries, the Mallorcan had no option against one of the fittest tennis players on the circuit, recent champion in Rome and that in the second round he will play against the Belgian David Goffin (115º) or French Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (66th).
“I cannot say with 100% certainty that I will not play here again, but I can say with 100% that I have enjoyed every time I have played on this court and in front of this crowd”said Nadal in his intervention from the court after losing.
Their three previous losses in the tournament had been in 2009 in the round of 16 against Robin Soderling and twice before Djokovicin the quarterfinals of 2015 and in the semifinals of 2021. Added to this is a withdrawal due to physical problems before playing their third round match of 2016.
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In a 2024 in which he barely played, after a frustrated comeback in January in Brisbane, where he was injured again, on the dirt tour he returned in Barcelona and had discreet results. In his last game before Parisin Romehad even been swept off the track by the Polish Hubert Hurkacz (6-1, 6-3) in the second round.
In doubt until the last moment, Nadal chose to be present in ‘his’ Roland Garrosbut the draw did not allow him to have even a warm-up round, giving him this explosive duel for his debut against a Zverev who is also in a great moment, after being champion in the Rome Masters 1000.
Source: Ambito
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