Nadal goes down fighting against Zverev in earliest French Open exit

PARIS : Rafa Nadal crashed to his earliest exit at the French Open on Monday after a 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 first-round defeat by fourth seed Alexander Zverev, with fans wondering if the 14-times champion will return to the Grand Slam he has ruled for two decades.

The 22-times major champion, who won the Musketeers' Cup for the first time in 2005 and last raised the trophy in 2022 before a serious hip injury derailed his career, had previously said this year could be his final one on the tour.

Having returned to the tournament that he skipped in 2023 and refusing to confirm any farewells ahead of his opener, Nadal showed flashes of top form again on Court Philippe Chatrier but the 37-year-old ultimately went down fighting.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure if it's the last time but I enjoyed it, the crowd were amazing during the whole week of preparation and today," Nadal said as the crowd rose to their feet.

"The feelings today are difficult to describe with words but it's special to feel the love in the place I love the most.

"I enjoy playing a lot and travelling with the family. The body is feeling better than two months ago. Maybe in two months I say it's enough. But it's something I don’t feel yet."

Victory meant Zverev became only the third man to beat Nadal at Roland Garros, after Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling, with the German also banishing memories of his retirement due to an ankle injury when the duo last met in the 2022 semi-finals.

"I don't know what to say... thank you Rafa from all of the tennis world, it's such a great honour," Zverev said.

"I've watched Rafa play all my childhood and I was lucky enough to play him twice on this beautiful court."

Nadal was broken by in-form Rome champion Zverev in the opening game and