Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek were among the star names watching Rafael Nadal at the French Open today.
Rafael Nadal’s match against Alexander Zverev was the main attraction at the French Open (Image: Getty)
Rafael Nadal would not confirm whether his defeat to Alexander Zverev will be his final appearance at the French Open. But his fellow tennis superstars were not going to take the chance of missing this potential farewell for the King of Clay.
Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek – along with Manchester City midfielder Rodri – were packed into the Court Philippe-Chatrier for an emotional afternoon.
Nadal, who turns 38 next month, showed the odd glimpse of his old magic but lost 6-3 7-6 6-3 to the world No.4.
But Nadal lost that many sets in just over three hours today. The 22-time Grand Slam champion served for the second set at 5-4 after a hot streak but was broken to love and lost the tiebreak and any realistic chance of a fairytale win.
Nadal would have beaten most other players in this tournament today but not the solid Zverev in his current form. “That’s how it is, no?” said Nadal. “When you are not seeded, you play against a player who is in great shape and is one of the best players of the world.”
The German, who is nearly 11 years younger, was quicker and stronger and confirmed his status as one of the favourites for the title.
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Rafael Nadal comments on Novak Djokovic being in stands for his potential RG farewell
Nadal addresses Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek coming to watch his French Open match versus Alexander Zverev.
Rafael Nadal said he didn’t notice Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek in the stands during his French Open match versus Alexander Zverev but noted that he was “happy” to hear that some of his biggest rivals came to watch what may have been his last appearance at Roland Garros.
On Monday, record 14-time French Open champion Nadal kicked off and concluded his Roland Garros run after No. 4 seed Zverev handed him a 6-3 7-6 (5) 6-3 first-round loss.
There were some other well-known professional tennis players in the stands, including 2022 WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia and former world No. 11 Alize Cornet, who is also retiring after the French Open.
Nadal on Djokovic, Alcaraz and Swiatek watching his potential French Open farewell
“I mean, I didn’t see them, but I think in some way it’s normal, no?” Nadal said.
“I think if that’s the last time that I’m going to be playing here and if I know that Novak is the last time playing in Wimbledon or in Australia and I was there or… I mean, these kind of rivals or young players that are here like Carlos that probably they watch me on TV the most of his years that they are living (smiling), it’s normal that in some way they are interested to see how this is going to be, and especially in this particular place with all the history that I had behind, no?
“But yeah, I mean, happy that that happens, you know, because that means that I had a positive legacy here and positive legacy for my career, no? And that’s it.”
Moments after losing to Zverev, Nadal briefly addressed the crowd on the court. During his speech, Nadal didn’t make any promises but didn’t close the doors on potentially playing again at Roland Garros in 2025.
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