Rafa exits Paris on a wave of emotion

PARIS — Rafael Nadal's illustrious French Open career came to a likely end with a first-ever opening round defeat at the hands of Alexander Zverev on Monday, after Iga Swiatek made a winning start in her bid for a fourth title.

Nadal matched world No 4 Zverev for long periods on a packed Court Philippe Chatrier, but slipped to a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 loss, as he was beaten for just the fourth time in 116 matches at the tournament.

This year's event was expected to be the 14-time champion's farewell to Roland Garros, but he has since insisted he could not confirm "100 percent" that it would be his last appearance.

"If it is (the last time), then you have been amazing," Nadal told an adoring crowd under the Chatrier roof.

"The feelings I have today are difficult to describe in words. It is the place I love the most."

Nadal, who turns 38 next week, showed all his trademark fighting qualities in a gripping match, but only managed to convert two of 11 break points against an inspired opponent.

"The first round wasn't ideal," he admitted, before saying he "hoped "to be back at Roland Garros later this summer for the Paris Olympics, but would almost certainly skip Wimbledon.

"It will be difficult playing on grass considering that right after Wimbledon are the Olympic Games."

It was only Nadal's fifth tournament since January 2023 after suffering a hip injury and then a muscle tear, arriving in Paris a lowly 275th in the world rankings.

"It's hard to say about the future," he added. "I am traveling with my family and I am having fun. The body is feeling better than it did two months ago."

Nadal was unseeded for the draw and vulnerable to a difficult opening round.

German Zverev, who lifted the Rome Open title on May 19, proved too strong, despite the fans desperately attempting to raise Nadal to past glories.

The 27-year-old banished the memories of the duo's last meeting, when he left Chatrier court on a wheelchair after injuring his ankle during their 2022 French Open semifinal.

His reward for becoming just the third player to defeat Nadal at Roland Garros — after Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling — is a match against either David Goffin or home wild card Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Zverev's fast start

Zverev became the first man to defeat Nadal before the fourth round at Roland Garros.

"To be honest I don't know what to say," Zverev said on court after his win, before handing the mic to the Spanish legend. "First of all, thank you Rafa, from all of the tennis world. It's such a great honor. I've watched Rafa play all my childhood, and I was lucky enough to play Rafa when I became a pro, I was lucky enough to play him two times on this beautiful court."

"Today is not my moment, it's Rafa's moment," Zverev added.

Zverev started the match strongly, with a break to love in the opening game, going on to wrap up the first set with relative ease.

Nadal was much improved from his most recent outing, when he was well beaten by Hubert Hurkacz in the Rome second round, but failed to serve out the second set when leading 5-4.

Zverev then came out on top in a tense tie-break as a Nadal return found the net.

The Spaniard again broke first in the third set to lead 2-0, much to the delight of the 15,000 spectators in attendance, including Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Swiatek and Manchester City soccer player Rodri.

But Zverev quickly hit back once more, before breaking for a 4-3 lead with a wonderful passing winner.

He secured victory on his first match point as Nadal blazed a forehand off target, potentially ending the most dominant career at a single event in Grand Slam history.

After Nadal missed a final shot on match point, Zverev gave a muted celebration out of respect for the 22-time major champion. They enjoyed a warm greeting at the net.

"The amount of feelings that I had on this amazing court during all my tennis career is just unbelievable," Nadal said. "I never dreamed I would be here at almost 38 years old, with all the success I had here, winning so many times — it is something that I never dreamed of.

"For me, it's difficult to say what will happen in the future. There's a high percentage that I won't be back at Roland Garros, but I can't say 100 percent. I enjoy playing here."

Pole position

Women's world No 1 Swiatek raced to a 6-1, 6-2 victory against French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean after just 61 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The Pole will next face fellow four-time major champion Naomi Osaka on Wednesday.

"I'm really happy to be back. I feel like I'm playing really good tennis, so I am hoping to be here as long as possible," said Swiatek.

The 22-year-old Pole is aiming to become the first woman to win three straight Roland Garros titles since Justine Henin in 2007, and only the second ever after Serena Williams to win the Madrid, Rome and French Opens in the same year.

Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner started his title tilt with a confident 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win over Wimbledon quarterfinalist Christopher Eubanks.

The Italian second seed, who withdrew from the Madrid Open and missed the Rome Open with a hip injury, set up a second-round meeting with French veteran Richard Gasquet.

Daniil Medvedev had lost in the first round on five of his previous seven Roland Garros appearances, but made no mistake this time, seeing off Dominik Koepfer in four sets.

Agencies