PARIS, May 28 – Rafael Nadal’s storied career at the French Open may have come to an end with an unexpected first-round defeat to Alexander Zverev on Monday. The 14-time Roland Garros champion, who has dominated the tournament for nearly two decades, lost 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to world number four Zverev, marking only his fourth loss in 116 matches at the French Open.
In a gripping match on Court Philippe Chatrier, Nadal matched Zverev in many respects but struggled to convert crucial break points. Zverev, who recently won the Rome Open, proved too strong for Nadal despite the crowd’s fervent support for the Spanish legend.
“If it is [the last time], then you have been amazing,” Nadal told the adoring fans. “The feelings I have today are difficult to describe in words. It is the place I love the most.”
Nadal, who turns 38 next week, hinted at the possibility of returning for the Paris Olympics later this summer, though he was non-committal about his future at Roland Garros. “It’s hard to say about the future. I am traveling with my family and I am having fun. The body is feeling better than it did two months ago,” he said.
Nadal’s ranking had plummeted to 275th in the world due to a hip injury and subsequent muscle tear, making him unseeded and vulnerable to a tough draw. Despite his valiant effort, Nadal could not overcome Zverev, who avenged his 2022 French Open semi-final defeat where he left the court in a wheelchair due to an ankle injury.
Zverev’s victory sets up a second-round match against either David Goffin or home wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The German is now among the select few, including Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling, to have defeated Nadal at Roland Garros.
In the women’s draw, world number one Iga Swiatek began her campaign for a fourth French Open title with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean. Swiatek will next face fellow four-time major champion Naomi Osaka. The Pole is aiming to be the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to win three consecutive Roland Garros titles and the second after Serena Williams to clinch the Madrid, Rome, and French Open titles in the same year.
Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner also advanced, defeating Christopher Eubanks 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, and setting up a second-round clash with French veteran Richard Gasquet. Former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, 6-1, progressing smoothly to the next round.
Women’s third seed Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, swiftly defeated Julia Avdeeva 6-1, 6-1 in just 52 minutes. She will face Slovenian qualifier Tamara Zidansek next. Meanwhile, Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova overcame Rebeka Masarova in straight sets, and Tunisian eighth seed Ons Jabeur secured her spot in the second round with a victory over US wildcard Sachia Vickery.
As the French Open progresses, fans and players alike will keep a close eye on whether this truly marks the end of Nadal’s illustrious Roland Garros journey.