PARIS : Rafa Nadal crashed to his earliest exit at the French Open on Monday after a 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 first-round defeat by fourth seed Alexander Zverev, with fans wondering if the 14-times champion will return to the Grand Slam he has ruled for two decades.
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 27, 2024 Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts as he leaves the court after losing his first round match against Germany's Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 27, 2024 Spain's Rafael Nadal looks dejected after losing his first round match against Germany's Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Having returned to the tournament that he skipped in 2023 and refusing to confirm any farewells ahead of his opener, Nadal showed flashes of top form again on Court Philippe Chatrier but the 37-year-old ultimately went down fighting.
"I enjoy playing a lot and travelling with the family. The body is feeling better than two months ago. Maybe in two months I say it's enough. But it's something I don’t feel yet." "I've watched Rafa play all my childhood and I was lucky enough to play him twice on this beautiful court." The crowd began to sense a comeback as Nadal went ahead 4-2 with some vintage shots on both flanks but the steely Zverev hit back in the 10th game and saved two breakpoints before doubling his advantage by edging a high-octane tiebreak.
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