The Spaniard has been close to unbeatable here since winning his first French Open title as a teenager in 2005. He had lost only three out of 115 matches – and dropped only three sets in his previous 18 first round appearances.
But Nadal, who turns 38 next month, lost that many sets in just over three hours yesterday as Rome Masters champion Zverev won 6-3 7-6 6-3.
After the defeat, Nadal said: “I would love to thank you all it’s difficult for me to talk I don’t know if it’ll be the last time I’m going to be here in front of you, I don’t know if it is the last time, I have enjoyed it. The crowd have been amazing the whole week. For me it’s so special to feel the love of the people the way I have felt.
“I have been going through a very tough two years in terms of injuries, I went all through this process with a dream to be back here at Roland Garros. The first round wasn’t the ideal one, but I was competitive, I had my chances, but it was not enough against a great player. For me it’s tough to say what’s going on in the future.
“There’s a bg percentage I won’t be back here, but I can’t say 100%. The body is feeling a little bit better also. Maybe in two months it’s enough, I can’t give anything else, but it’s something I don’t feel yet. I hope to be back on this court for the Olympics, that’s motivation.
“The amount of feelings I had on this amazing court through all my tennis career is unbelievable – I could never have imagined when I was a kid, I could be here 38 years old with all the success I had here, winning so many times, something I could never dream about and it’s been a beautiful process. Every year has been different and what it makes it seem so special are the people behind the scenes who have helped me. It’s been unforgettable. The feelings you have made me feel here are unforgettable, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion served for the second set at 5-4 after a hot streak but was broken to love and lost the tiebreak and any realistic chance of a shock win. Nadal would have beaten most other players in this tournament yesterday but not the solid Zverev in his current form.
The German, who is nearly 11 years younger, was quicker and stronger and confirmed his status as one of the favourites for the title. He served superbly and made 77% of first serves while showing no emotion despite cheers for his every mistake. And disciplined Zverev ruthlessly punished short balls like Nadal in his prime.
Winning his first Grand Slam here would be a big image problem for men’s tennis with Zverev appealing allegations of assault against his former girlfriend in a Berlin court this week.
There was no doubt who was the crowd favourite here. Nadal’s huge ovation for his walk on to the court was followed by a smattering of boos for the 2020 US Open runner-up.
When the stadium MC then read out the years of all 14 of the Spaniard’s wins here, the crowd was whipped into a frenzy. But hopes for a fairytale shock win in only Nadal’s fifth event of the season did not last long.
The world No.275 was broken to love in the opening service game and the biggest early cheers when Zverev served a double fault. He took 13 minutes to win his first game but Zverev took his third set point after 50 minutes when Nadal steered a forehand into the net.
The second set changed when the 22-time Grand Slam champion faced two break points at 1-2 and saved the second with an 187 kmh ace down the middle. When he held for 2-2, he jumped and punched the air in celebration.
WIth chants of “Rafa, Rafa” ringing around the arena, took his first break point with a forehand drop shot to lead 3-2 – and spark the loudest cheers of the match after 75 minutes.
He then held to win three games in a row to lead 4-2. But Nadal could not close out the set at 5-4 and his forehand found the net on the first of three break points. The 2022 semi-final here saw the match go to a second set tiebreak before Zverev fell and ruptured his ankle ligaments after three hours and 13 minutes.
Nadal produced a magical forehand winner to bring the score in the tiebreak to 4-5 before a weak backhand service return into the net gave Zverev the second set after two hours.
Nadal came for a final time to break to lead 2-0 in the third set with a trademark forehand running pass. But Zverev broke straight back after finding the corner of the court with a high backhand volley off the top of his racket.
The Spaniard saved three break points in the fifth game but he was broken to trail 3-4 when Zverev passed him as he attempted to serve-and-volley on break point. The German saved two break points at 4-3 before taking his first match point when Nadal sprayed a forehand long for his sixth break of serve.
A planned post-match ceremony to honour Nadal was cancelled on Sunday after the Spaniard claimed it is “a big, big chance” this is his final French Open but he said: “I don’t want to close 100% the door.”
