ROLAND GARROS — Rafael Nadal may well have played his last match at the French Open as Alexander Zverev added his name to the short list of players to have beaten him at Roland Garros with a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 win. Nadal, 37, had previously lost just three matches in the clay-court major – two to Novak Djokovic and one to Robin Soderling – and was hoping to secure a 113th victory. However, the 14-time champion looked short of form and fitness as Zverev snuffed out his dream of fairytale farewell – although Nadal says he is not “100 per cent” sure that this will in fact be his last time here.
That revelation last week forced French Open organisers to cancel proposed plans for a “thank you Rafa” ceremony , but it did not stop Philippe Chatrier rising in unison to salute their greatest ever champion. Nadal did make a promise to try and come back in a few months’ time for the Olympics, where he is hoping to play doubles with Carlos Alcaraz as well as make a possible singles bid. “That motivates me,” Nadal said afterwards.
Unusually for a beaten player, he was interviewed on court – but this is Nadal. “It’s going to be another chance. I really hope to be well prepared.
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