“Don’t know if it’s going to be last time…”: Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal dismissed speculation about playing his last match at the French Open 2024, stating that he “wasn’t 100 per cent sure” if this would be his final tournament appearance.

The 14-time French Open champion fought hard in what could potentially be his last appearance at Roland Garros but was defeated by Alexander Zverev, who showcased sharp forehand aggressive play, resulting in a 3-6, 6-7(4), 3-6 loss for Nadal in the opening round clash on Monday. This marked Nadal’s first-ever first-round defeat at the French Open.

Despite the loss, Nadal expressed his motivation to continue his illustrious career, particularly eyeing a match in the upcoming Paris Olympics. After his defeat to Zverev, the fans at Court Philippe-Chatrier gave Nadal a warm send-off, chanting his name for several minutes before he addressed them and discussed his future plans. The audience witnessed vintage Nadal moments, with the champion delivering his best tennis, especially his trademark forehand passing shot, during the three-hour and five-minute match.

“The amount of feelings that I had on this amazing court during all my tennis career is just unbelievable. I never dreamed I would be here at almost 38 years old, with all the success I had here, winning so many times – it is something that I never dreamt of,” Nadal said as quoted by Roland Garros.

“For me, it’s difficult to say what will happen in the future. It’s a big percentage that I won’t be back at Roland-Garros, but I can’t say 100 per cent. I enjoy playing here, I like traveling with the family, and my body is feeling a little bit better than it did two months ago,” he added.

Nadal voiced his appreciation for the fans’ unwavering support throughout the game, indicating that while his return to Roland Garros is uncertain, his current focus is on continuing to test himself against the world’s best players. He expressed his hope to be back on the court for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, stating, “I hope to be back on this court for the Olympics. That motivates me.”

In the fiercely contested match, Zverev’s powerful serve, forceful forehand, and composure under pressure ultimately proved too much for Nadal. The matchup was highly anticipated, reminiscent of their Paris semifinal two years prior, which ended prematurely due to Zverev’s severe ankle injury.

WTA No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic were among the notable attendees, highlighting the match’s significance. Despite Nadal’s efforts to rally the crowd and gain the upper hand, Zverev consistently found ways to regain control and secure the straight-sets victory.