Tennis: Rafael Nadal beaten by Alexander Zverev in likely his last French Open appearance

Rafael Nadal has – likely – played his final match at the Roland Garros.

The 14-time Roland-Garros champion fell at the first hurdle against No.4 seed Alexander Zverev in what was a brutal draw for both. Zverev, the reigning Olympic champion, won 6-3 7-6 6-4 in Monday’s (27 May) first round.

Nadal was backed throughout the clash by the Parisian crowd, whom he has wowed for nearly two decades having won his first title here in 2005 – and most recent in 2022.

But the 37-year-old Spanish tennis legend has played just 11 matches in 2024 as he has continued to deal with a myriad of maladies, most recently a hip that required sugery last year.

“If it’s the last time, I enjoyed it,” he said on court in English. “It’s difficult for me to talk. I don’t know if it’s going to be the last time I’m going to be in front of you.

“I have been going through a very tough two years in terms of injuries,” Nadal added. I went through this whole process with the dream to come back to Roland-Garros. I was competitive [today], I had my chances, but it wasn’t enough.”

He is undoubtedly the best player in the event’s history, registering a 112-4 win-loss record, with only Zverev, Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling registering wins against him.

He has said he hopes to compete at this summer’s Olympic Games Paris 2024, which will see the tennis event staged at Stade Roland-Garros.

“I have some goals in front,” he said on Monday. “I hope to be back on this court for the Olympics. That motivates me. I really hope to be well-prepared.”