‘I don’t know if it’s the last time,’ says Nadal after losing in first round at Roland-Garros

Fourteen-time champion Rafael Nadal has cast serious doubt on whether he will play the French Open again after suffering his earliest exit at Roland-Garros.

This year’s Olympic Games will be played at the home of the claycourt major, so Nadal will be back for that – assuming his battle-weary body lets him – but there is every chance he has contested his last match at his favourite tournament.

Rafael Nadal remains unsure if he will return to Roland-Garros next year.Credit: Getty Images

Nadal conceded as much after Alex Zverev played the party-pooper in a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 first-round triumph across three-plus hours under Roland-Garros’ new retractable roof as the German bids to win his maiden grand slam title.

“It’s difficult for me to talk. I don’t know [if] it’s going to be the last time that I’m going to be here in front of all of you, honestly. I am not 100 per cent sure,” Nadal said.

“But if it’s the last time, I enjoyed it. The crowd have been amazing during the whole week of preparation, and the feelings that I have today are difficult to describe in words, but for me, it’s so special to feel the love of the people the way that I felt in the place that I love the most.

“It’s difficult to say what’s going on in the future. It’s a big percentage that I will not be back playing here at Roland-Garros, but I can say 100 per cent I enjoy a lot playing here.

“I am travelling with family, and I am having fun, and the body is feeling a little bit better now than two months ago. I think maybe in two months, I [might] say it’s enough, I can’t give anything else, but it’s something that I don’t feel yet. I have some goals in front.

“I hope to be back on this court for the Olympics – that motivates me, that’s going to be another chance. I really hope to be well-prepared [for that].”

The Parisian crowd did everything they could to get Nadal across the line.Credit: Getty Images

There was enough doubt for the likes of world No.1s Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek, plus Nadal’s Spanish successor Carlos Alcaraz, to cram into a frenzied Court Philippe-Chatrier just in case this was it.

The lion’s share of the crowd, from Nadal’s wife Maria Francisca Perello to his father Sebastian, long-time coach Carlos Moya and Spanish Tennis Federation boss Miguel Díaz Román, were left disappointed as he lost in the first round at Roland-Garros for the first time.

Handed a painfully difficult draw against Rome champion and world No.4 Zverev in a rare visit to Paris as an unseeded competitor, Nadal produced some of his best tennis of the year.

The 37-year-old legend played well enough to be up a break on Zverev – whose domestic violence trial in Germany will be held mid-tournament, without him needing to attend – in the second and third sets, but could not hang on. Zverev quickly reeled Nadal in each time he fell behind and looked every bit the title contender he is being billed as.

The roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier, under which back-to-back women’s champion Swiatek earlier breezed through to the second round for the loss of only three games on a rainy Paris day, was another reminder of the changing times.

Even so, Nadal’s ability to still challenge one of the sport’s best players off an abbreviated preparation might be why he is finding it so hard to let go.

There was mutual respect between Nadal and Alex Zverev.Credit: AP

This was a much more pleasant experience for Zverev than their last meeting on this court.

That epic, high-quality semi-final stoush two years ago ended prematurely when the German rolled his right ankle and tore three lateral ligaments before leaving in a wheelchair.

“I have to congratulate Sasha [Zverev] for this great match and last week, [his] victory in Rome, and I really wish you all the best for the rest of the tournament,” Nadal said.

“2022, I know was a super tough moment for you, so you deserve more, so many congratulations and all the best.

“I have been going through a very tough two years, in terms of injuries. I went all through this process with the dream to be back here at Roland-Garros. It’s true that the first round [draw] hasn’t been the ideal one … I was competitive, I had my chances, but it was not enough against a great player like Sasha.”

Zverev spoke briefly, and graciously, before Nadal but quickly stepped aside to let the 22-time grand slam winner take centre stage.

“To be honest, I don’t know what to say. First of all, thank you, Rafa, from all of the tennis world,” Zverev said.

“It’s such a great honour [to share the court with you]. I’ve watched Rafa play all my childhood, and I was lucky enough to play Rafa when I became a professional. I was lucky enough to play him two times on this beautiful court, and I don’t know what to say – today is not my moment, it’s Rafa’s moment.”

Nadal took his time deciding whether to contest this year’s claycourt slam as he struggled to play anywhere near his imperious best on the red dirt, a surface he was nigh on invincible on for most of his hall-of-fame career.

The former world No.1’s mind remains willing, but his ailing body stopped him making his much-anticipated return at this year’s Australian Open despite him playing in Brisbane and there were several other withdrawals after that, even throughout the clay season.

Once Nadal finally did play, he was suddenly a mere mortal.

Alex de Minaur became the first Australian to beat Nadal on clay in Barcelona, but conceded moments afterwards that the result would have been different in the Spaniard’s prime.

Nadal recovered to exact revenge on Australia’s top player a week later in Madrid. However, he failed to reach even a quarter-final in any of the four clay tournaments he contested in 2024.

Nadal fought hard but could not overcome title contender Zverev.Credit: AP

He walked on court at Roland-Garros as a significant underdog – another new feeling – but gave his army of admirers plenty to cheer.

Nadal picked at his shorts, pumped his fist with vigour after winning clutch points, oozed energy in general and fought as doggedly as ever.

There were outrageously good low volley winners, screaming down-the-line forehands – including one brilliant one on the run off a Zverev overhead – and fearless shot-making in moments others shrink in.

But Nadal mostly struggled to match Zverev’s big striking from the baseline, and reverted to serve-volleying where he could to shorten the rallies.

As de Minaur effectively said after beating him in Barcelona: this is not the same Nadal who reigned over France for more than a decade.

The end is nigh, but the Paris crowd revelled in the chance to watch the master one last time.

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