PARIS: Rafael Nadal’s record-breaking French Open career came to its likely end on Monday when the 14-time champion slumped to a demoralizing first round defeat against Alexander Zverev before he admitted: “I really hope to see you again - but I don’t know.” Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3, went down 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to world number four Zverev, suffering only his fourth loss in 116 matches at Roland Garros since his 2005 title-winning debut. It was the first time he had been defeated in Paris in the opening round and will again lead to questions over his long-term future in the sport.
“It is difficult for me to talk, I don’t know if it’s the last time I’ll be here in front of all of you,” he said. “Honestly, I am not sure. If it is, then you have been amazing.
The feelings I have today are difficult to describe in words. It is the place I love the most.” He added: “It’s hard to say about the future.
I am travelling with my family and I am having fun. The body is feeling better than it did two months ago. “Maybe in two months I say it’s enough.
That is something I don’t feel yet.” Nadal may not return for the 2025 French Open but he still plans to play the Olympics in the city in July. “I hope to be back here for the Olympics, that motivates me.
I really hope to be well prepared,” he said to loud cheers. Plagued by injuries, which had limited him to just four events since January last year, former world number one Nadal is now 275 in the.
