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Rafael Nadal’s record-breaking French Open career came to its likely end yesterday when the 14-time champion slumped to a demoralising first round defeat against Alexander Zverev.
Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3, went down 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to world number four Zverev, suffering only his fourth loss in 116 matches at Roland Garros since his 2005 title-winning debut.
It was the first time he had been defeated in Paris in the opening round and will again lead to questions over his long-term future in the sport.
“I don’t know if this is the last time I will be here, I am not 100 percent sure but if it is then I wanted to enjoy it,” said Nadal.
“The feelings today are difficult to describe in words.” Plagued by injuries, which had limited him to just four events since January last year, former world number one Nadal is now 275 in the rankings and was unseeded in Paris.
However, he insisted on the eve of the tournament that he was “100 percent keeping the door open” on his future in a sport which has brought him 22 Grand Slam titles. — SuperSport.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu