Tennis: Zverev Knocks Nadal Out Of French Open
Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal exited what could be his last French Open to an outpouring of love and support after a 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 first-round defeat by German Alexander Zverev.
Nadal struggled to find his mark early on, netting a routine drop shot and serving a double fault to give Zverev the opening game.
The German kept his foot on the gas pedal to take the first set even though Nadal showed glimpses of his best with a couple of spinning forehand winners down the line.
As soon as Zverev eased the pressure, however, Nadal converted his first break point to take a 3-2 lead in the second set.
Nadal served for the set but Zverev levelled and forced a tiebreak, which he comfortably won.
There was another break for Nadal in the third set and the Spaniard played some outstanding tennis after a few jaw-dropping winners.
However, Zverev was too good this time as he closed out the set to knock Nadal out of what could be his last appearance at the French Open.
Two years after their epic unfinished match, Zverev hands Nadal his first-ever first-round defeat at Roland-Garros #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/OGsZ2RoQuc
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2024
“I hope to see you again, but I don’t know,” Nadal told an ecstatic crowd after his straight-sets loss to Zverev as the Spaniard wished to be back at Roland Garros for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“There’s a big percentage I will not be back here but I am not 100% sure. I hope to be back on this court for the Olympics, that motivates me.”
#RolandGarros | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/ssgUcyjn8X
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2024
