Rafael Nadal, the 14-time champion at Roland-Garros, is preparing for what may potentially be his final tournament at the French Open. The Spanish tennis superstar is scheduled to begin his campaign against fourth seed Alexander Zverev in what is expected to be an emotionally charged event.
Nadal, who has been plagued by hip and abdominal injuries in recent years, has expressed his intention to retire from the sport by the end of 2024. His unparalleled success at Roland-Garros includes a record-breaking 14 titles, surpassing any other male player at a specific major. In comparison, Novak Djokovic has claimed victory 10 times at the Australian Open, making Nadal’s achievements all the more remarkable.
The anticipation surrounding Nadal’s final appearance at the French Open has reached a fever pitch as the tennis icon arrives at Roland-Garros, ready to face the formidable challenge posed by Zverev. The German player, fresh off a triumph at the Italian Open, will undoubtedly provide a tough test for Nadal in the opening round. Should the Spaniard emerge victorious, he will then confront either David Goffin or Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the second round.
Nadal’s journey at the 2022 French Open saw him face Zverev in a memorable semi-final showdown, resulting in the German being forced to retire due to an ankle injury after a gruelling three-hour battle. Now, as he embarks on what could be his farewell tournament, Nadal is poised to once again go head-to-head with Zverev, setting the stage for an electrifying match-up.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, the reigning champion, is set to commence his title defence against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. The Serbian superstar will be looking to stave off fierce competition from Jannik Sinner as he vies for the top spot in the ATP Rankings. Sinner, the Australian Open winner, is scheduled to face Christopher Eubanks in his opening match, while third seed Carlos Alcaraz is slated to begin his campaign against a qualifier.
In a parallel narrative, former world number one Andy Murray is preparing for what is likely to be his swan song at the French Open. The British tennis stalwart has been drawn to face 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka in a highly anticipated first-round encounter, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament.
On the women’s side, Iga Swiatek, seeking her third consecutive French Open crown, will launch her quest against either a qualifier or a lucky loser. A potential second-round showdown with Naomi Osaka looms on the horizon, as the Japanese tennis sensation aims to overcome Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in her opening match. Compatriot Coco Gauff finds herself positioned in the same half of the draw as Swiatek, while second seed Arnya Sabalenka is gearing up to face Erika Andreeva in the other half, setting the stage for a captivating contest.