Alexander Zverev, the world number four from Germany, is gearing up to face “peak Rafael Nadal” in the first round of the French Open on Monday. This match could potentially mark the end of Nadal’s storied career at Roland Garros, where he has claimed an unparalleled 14 titles.
“In my mind, I’m going to play peak Rafa Nadal. That’s what I expect him to be. I expect him to be at his absolute best,” Zverev told reporters on Friday. “I expect him to play the best tennis he’s played in a long time on this court.”
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, holds a 7-3 record over Zverev, winning five out of their six encounters on clay. One of these victories came in Paris two years ago, a match that ended tragically for Zverev when he suffered a severe ankle injury during their semi-final, forcing him to retire and keeping him out of action until January last year.
Zverev, who recently won his first Masters 1000 title since 2021 at the Rome Open, is still regaining his top form after the injury. “He’s going to finish his career probably before mine,” said the 27-year-old Zverev of his Spanish rival, who turns 38 on June 3. “I really wanted to play him one more time because I didn’t want my last memory to be me rolling off in a wheelchair off Court Philippe Chatrier. I really wanted to play him here.”
Despite his desire to face Nadal again, Zverev admitted he didn’t expect or want it to be in the first round. “I didn’t want to play him in the first round. I wanted to play him in the semi-finals, final, a later stage of the tournament. But at the end of the day, he’s not seeded, it is how it is, and I think we’re both prepared for a tough battle.”
