Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz has shown no signs of a recent arm injury as he cruises past J.J. Wolf in straight sets during the first round of the French Open.
Alcaraz shows no signs of injury in Rd1 | 00:51If Rafael Nadal has played his final French Open match, the grand master of Roland Garros served a reminder of his greatness even in defeat, firing forehands to the death in front of an adoring crowd featuring great rivals and the champions he has inspired.
The scoreboard showed a straight sets match, with Zverev prevailing 6-3 7-6 6-3. But it tells only part of the tale of a compelling spectacle lasting 3hr 5min hours that featured stunning strokes from both men and swings of momentum fit for a thriller. “It is difficult for me to talk. I don’t know if it is going to be the last time I am here in front of you. I am not 100 percent sure. But if it is the last time, I enjoyed it,” he said.
As a result, it is exceptionally unlikely he will feature at Wimbledon, with the switch between clay and grass and then back to clay likely to prove problematic. “What makes me feel so special is all the people who are at Roland Garros behind the scenes who have been helping me from my first visit here. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I really hope to see you again. But I don’t know. Merci beaucoup.”
Iga Swiatek, who began her campaign for a third straight Roland Garros title in swift fashion a match earlier, was back courtside to watch her idol in action. Near the entrance to the grounds fans who had braved the wintry conditions stopped to consider and also photograph the 3m steel sculpture of the Spaniard scorching a forehand.
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his match against against Alexander Zverev of Germany in the Men's Singles first round match on Day Two of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on May 27, 2024 in Paris, France. If the 22-time major winner was shaky on serve early in the match, he did little to concede when broken back deep in the second. The German, simply, was too good, playing inspired tennis from 3-5, 15-30 to surge back into the set.
But the rustiness was apparent and pitted against a rival he described as “one of the best in the world”, it was a combination that caused his downfall. A drop shot on the backhand side was one example. But more to the point, he could not hit through his rival enough either.
Positive Legacy End Date Alexander Zverev Draws Greats Tennis Tournament Final Stand Backhand Return Positive Moment Match Fitness Grand Master Massage Table Backhand Side Rafael Nadal Europe Tennis Career Clay Court Roger Federer Western Europe Father Time Southern Europe Press Conference Courtney Walsh Thunderous Forehand Torrential Rain Grounds Fans Marvellous Moment Farewell Ceremony Straight Sets Match Adoring Crowd Seemed Immortal Agence France Presse Roland Garros Set Tiebreaker NRL + AFL Seasons France Getty Images Inc. Final Forehand Final French Grand Farewell Looms Firing Forehands Spain Steel Sculpture Famous Memory French Stars Novak Djokovic Xisca Perello Final Match Carlos Alcaraz Paris
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