14-time champion Rafael Nadal will return to the Roland Garros for the first time since winning the crown in 2022. The King of Clay has been talking up the chances of him bidding goodbye to the sport at the end of the 2024 season after having missed the major part of last year due to his long-standing hip injury. Nadal has been handed a brutal draw as the unseeded superstar will face an in-form Alexander Zverev in his men’s singles first round at the iconic Philippe-Chatrier Arena on Monday, May 27.
Rafael Nadal will take on Alexander Zverev in the afternoon in Paris on Monday with their much-anticipated big-ticket clash scheduled as the third fixture on the centre court. Before Nadal vs Zverev, two women’s singles matches involving 8th seed Ons Jabeur and top seed Iga Swiatek.
The stands at the Phillipe-Chatrier will be packed to the rafters and most of the fans will be rooting for the greatest man to have ever played on the red dirt of Paris – Nadal. For probably the first time in his decorated run in Paris, Nadal will not start the match as a favourite. Zverev is heading into the Roland Garros after having won the Masters 1000 title in Rome to send a warning notice to the rest of the field.
When and where to watch Nadal vs Zverev at the French Open 2024?
The first-round match between Nadal and Zverev at the French Open will not start before 7 pm on Monday, January 26.
How can I watch Nadal vs Zverev at the French Open 2024 online?
SonyLiv will provide the live streaming of the big-ticket match in India.
How can I watch Nadal vs Zverev at the French Open 2024 on TV?
Sony Sports Network will provide live TV coverage of the match in India.
What is the Head-to-Head record between Nadal and Zverev?
Nadal has won seven of their 11 meetings in French Open 2024. Nadal and Zverev last played in 2022 – in the French Open semi-final.
Incidentally, Zverev’s career came to a halt when he injured his ankle and crashed out in the semi-final against Nadal in Roland Garros in 2022. The German has hit form since returning from the break and his performance in the clay-court Grand Slam has always been impressive. In fact, Zverev has reached the semi-final in Paris for three successive years.
Despite the odds in favour of Zverev, not many are going to rule Nadal out of the contest. The Spaniard has had a lean run on clay, having lost 3 out of the 8 matches he has played. He was ousted in the second round of Rome last week by Hubert Hurkacz.
Fans are also fearing that 2024 will be the last time Nadal will play the Roland Garros. However, the Spaniard hinted on Saturday that he might return for his favourite Grand Slam next year, in a big deviation from his statements earlier in the year. Nadal is also expected to play the Olympics later in July-August in his favourite city – Paris.
WHAT DID NADAL SAY?
Nadal did not raise expectations, acknowledging that his first-round match against Zverev will not be easy.
“It’s a super-tough first round. Maybe I go there and I repeat the disaster of Rome. It’s a possibility. I don’t want to hide that,” Nadal said.
“But in my mind is something different, play much better and give myself a chance to be competitive… I didn’t play this level of opponents, being competitive for a super long time.
“So all these questions I understand that you’re making to me I’m asking to myself too. But the answer is going to be on Monday, no? That’s it. The rest of the things are just talking and talking, and in the end don’t matter. It’s about my feelings and my feelings are better. I want to enjoy that match.”
Source Agencies
