The last six weeks had built up to it. Barcelona, Madrid and then Rome. The last week in Paris had built up to it. The little uncertainty was removed on Thursday. The tension and excitement was palpable. Play at Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam of the year, began on Sunday, was interrupted, and then ended. The sun rose amid cloud cover in the French capital on Monday. Thousands came through the gates, as they do year after year. But this was no ordinary day.
Ons Jabeur stepped up first on Court Philippe Chatrier and earned a straight-set victory. As did defending champion Iga Swiatek after taking just an hour to solidify her credentials as a title favourite. Then was the moment of truth, what everyone had been waiting for. What the 15,000 or so had paid good money for. This prized ticket - which was going for nearly a thousand euros on some websites. What people from all over - Europe, Oceania, North America, and South America - had come to see. To watch Rafael Nadal play maybe his last French Open match.
You could understand the emotion and frenzy of the occasion. Nadal had last played on this court two years ago when he lifted the trophy. This was where he had won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam trophies - no player has won more at one major. Put Novak Djokovic out of the equation and the rest of the singles field hasn’t even won that many COMBINED. Tennis fans wanted to be present when Nadal, 112-3 at the French Open, said his goodbye at a tournament that helped define his legacy.
Where is Waldo? 🔍
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2024
Swiatek-Djokovic-Alcaraz edition.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/nIQEGMeHBD
It wasn’t just the fans who wanted to be part of this moment. Djokovic, who is in action on Tuesday, was in attendance. As was Carlos Alcaraz who moved into the second round on Sunday. Not surprisingly, Nadal fan Swiatek also quickly made her way back to the stadium. Occupying the top-tier seats were Alize Cornet and Caroline Garcia. Former players David Ferrer and Marion Bartoli were in their places too. In the player’s boxes sat Nadal’s uncle Toni, who used to be his coach.
The situation was hardly of Nadal’s liking, though. Still working his way back from two years of hip and abdominal injuries, the World No. 275 had drawn fourth seed Alexander Zverev in a brutal draw. To top it off, persistent rain meant the roof had to be closed which meant disadvantage Rafa. Jannik Sinner, who had won earlier in the day, said in his assessment, “The situation is a bit different because it’s colder today. The ball isn’t bouncing that much. Also they’re playing indoors. It’s different. But it’ll be interesting… Rafa won so many times here. He knows every single spot on the court.”
Chills ❤️#RolandGarros @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/K44H0v2wrD
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2024
When Nadal made his way to the court, the noise was relentless. Thousands belted out “Rafa! Rafa!” and roared their support for the Spaniard as he stepped up for the coin toss. As he swung his fierce topspin forehand during the warmup. Or muscled the two-handed backhand. Master of ceremonies Marc Maury did the lengthy rundown of each of Nadal’s French Open winning years. As it went on and on for 14 years, the decibel level continued to rise.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆#RolandGarros @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/osR2lTujuP
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2024
The problem, though, was that there just wasn’t enough of the brilliance of the past. There weren’t enough vintage forehands and backhands to extend the eventual three-hour contest. There were moments of brilliance like consecutive games in the second set with clutch tennis - first to hold serve with a forehand winner that was celebrated with a leap, punch and scream of “Vamos!”.
In the next game, Nadal would hit a pinpoint drop shot to catch Zverev off guard for the first break. There were the usual celebratory uppercuts that have become so familiar with Rafa from the days of sleeveless T-shirts and capri pants to Monday’s sky-blue sleeves and white shorts. Every pumped celebration was matched by the capacity crowd with applause, throwing fists of their own, or waving the Spanish flag.
But there were moments where Nadal would get broken in the 10th game while serving for the set. And then lose a 19-shot rally in a nervous tiebreaker.
This forehand. This court. A legendary combination 👑
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2024
Shot of the day belongs to @RafaelNadal ✨#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ujb685hK0F
Even if Nadal was scintillating at the net with some breathtaking volleys, there just were not enough free points on a weary and slowed serve. The Spaniard won just 58 percent of his first serve points compared to Sascha’s 72 percent. Zverev had a chance at 18 break points and converted six of them with aggressive forehands and by painting the line in key moments.
In the third set, Nadal had to fend off four break points to stay ahead. But the challenge proved far too much on the next service game. Not long after, Nadal sent a tired forehand wide to go down 3-6, 6-7, 3-6 in the first round.
3/74 - Alexander Zverev has become only the third player to defeat Rafael Nadal at the Roland Garros after Robin Soderling and Novak Djokovic - Nadal faced 74 different opponents at this event. Elected.#rolandgarros | @rolandgarros pic.twitter.com/vfnL4F1lR1
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) May 27, 2024
With the result, Zverev became only the third player to beat Nadal at the French Open. It is the first time Rafa has bowed out at a French Open earlier than the fourth round. It took the Spaniard’s win-loss to 112-4. It was only Nadal’s third first-round defeat at a Grand Slam in an illustrious career. It is the first time he’s lost two straight matches on clay - following the loss to Hubert Hurkacz in Rome.
“It’s difficult for me to talk," said the Spaniard , whose young son, Rafael Jr., sat on his mother’s lap in the stands. “I don’t know (if) it’s going to be the last time I am here. I am not 100% sure.”
There are no words. Merci, Rafa 🫶#RolandGarros @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/znj0j42Qbf
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2024
“The amount of feelings I had on this amazing court during my entire tennis career is amazing. But now I’m 28,” Nadal said, then paused and corrected himself with a chuckle: “Well, no, 38. I would love to be 28!”
Is this the end for Rafa? It remains unclear. Before the tournament began he said it wasn’t 100% he was done . During the on-court speech he reiterated that this might just be it but he left the door ajar. It bears resemblance to Serena Williams at 2022 US Open who also drew massive crowds and was feted by tournament organisers.
When asked in the press conference if he would play Wimbledon, Nadal suggested the switch from clay to grass and then again to clay for the Paris Olympics, to be played at this very site, would be too much.
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2024
Back to the present.
Addressing the fans directly, Nadal said on the court: “The feelings that you made me feel here are unbelievable. I really hope to see you again, but I don’t know. Merci beaucoup.”
“If it’s the last time that I played here,” he went on, “I am at peace with myself.”
And with that, he gathered his bags and headed to the locker room. A sliver of sunshine crept through the stadium’s roof and onto the court and Nadal - as if the two had intertwined over all these years - as he walked off into the sunset amid one final chant of “Ra-fa! Ra-fa!”
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