Rafael Nadal crashes out after 1st round defeat to Zverev in his potential last appearance at French Open

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Rafael Nadal crashed out of the French Open 2024 after losing the first round match in straight sets against fourth seed Alexander Zverev on Monday (May 27). This was potentially Nadal's last appearance at the Roland Garros - the clay court Grand Slam event which he has won 14 times.

German Zverev race to a 6-3 win in the first set, before 37-year-old Nadal gave a tough fight to the 27-year-old in the second set. Zverev won the intense tie-breaker 7-5 to to go 2-0 up.

Rafael Nadal showcased his fighting spirit in the third set again when he saved four break points to win the fifth game. However, his younger opponent broke him immediately after to script a 6-3. 7-6, 6-3 win over the 22-time Grand Slam Champion.

This was Nadal's first-ever first round defeat at the French Open. Alexander Zverev became only the third player to beat Nadal at French Open. Also, it was Nadal's only fourth defeat in 161 French Open singles matches.

The likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek also turned up to the Court Philippe-Chatrier to watch the 'King of Clay' in action. Each of the points he won was cheered by everyone at the court. Zverev also did not celebrate his big win as a sign of respect to the Spanish legend.

Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3, did not confirm his last appearance at French Open, but hinted that chances of his return in 2025 were minimal.

"The feelings you make me feel here are just unforgettable. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart; I hope to see you again but i don’t know," an emotional Nadal said, choking up.

Rafael Nadal, who ranked 275th in the world, was not a seeded player at the French Open 2024. He has struggled with his fitness over the last two years and wasn't even sure of competing at Roland Garros. He returned to action with the Italian Open in the first week of May and lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the Round of 64.