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Rafael Nadal’s return to the French Open lasted just one match after losing to Alexander Zverev in the first round in straight sets on Monday.
Despite the loss and past teases of retirement, Nadal declined to say after the match whether or not this would be his last time playing at Roland Garros:
“I went through all this process with the dream to be back here in Roland Garros. For me it is difficult to say what is going on in the future. It is a big percentage that I will not be back playing here, but I cannot say 100 percent. I enjoy playing here. The body is feeling a little better than two months ago, so…maybe in two months I say ‘it’s enough,’ but this is something I don’t feel yet.”
This was a similar answer to what Nadal said prior to the tournament when asked about his future.
“It’s a big, big chance that it’s going to be my last Roland Garros,” he said on Saturday. “But if I have to tell you it’s 100% my last Roland Garros? Sorry, but I will not. Because I cannot predict what’s going on.”
Roland-Garros @rolandgarros
There are no words. Merci, Rafa 🫶#RolandGarros @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/znj0j42Qbf
Nadal hasn’t committed to playing in Wimbledon, only saying on Monday it “looks difficult” for him to make the transition to competing on grass before shifting back to clay for the Olympics.
After sitting out most of 2023 due to a hip injury, Nadal returned to action at the Brisbane International in December. He advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Jordan Thompson.
Following that loss, Nadal dropped the first hint that 2024 might be the final year of his career. He did quality it at that point by saying this would “probably” be his last season.
Monday’s loss marks Nadal’s first non-injury defeat prior to the fourth round at the French Open. He had to withdraw prior to a third-round match against Marcel Granollers in 2016 due to a wrist injury.
Zverev was a bad draw for Nadal to try and get his legs back under him in a grand slam tournament. The German star is currently the No. 4 player in the world and is coming off a semifinal run at the Australian Open in January.
This was Nadal’s ninth singles match since April. He is 5-4 overall with his best showing being a fourth-round run at the Madrid Open.
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