The ‘King of Clay’ was beaten in straight sets by fourth seed Alexander Zverev.
Rafael Nadal said he did not want a French Open leaving party, but he got one anyway as he bowed out to Alexander Zverev in the first round at Roland Garros.
The Spaniard had told tournament organisers last week that he did not want a farewell ceremony as he would not “close the door” on a return to the Paris showpiece. Iga Swiatek, bottom row fourth from left, Carlos Alcaraz, top row third from left, and Novak Djokovic, standing right in blue sweater and white cap, were all in attendance
But a slow start had cost Nadal a break in the opening game which he never retrieved, while Zverev was too strong in the tie-break and held his nerve down the final straight. His celebrations were low key as Nadal sent a forehand wide on match point, before Chatrier rose, possibly for one last time, to salute their hero.
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