Rafael Nadal’s likely final French Open could be over very quickly.
The superstar Spaniard will face No.4 seed and Rome champion Alexander Zverev in the opening round at Roland Garros.
Given the circumstances, of a beloved 14-time champion coming into the tournament he has dominated amid form concerns, it is one of the biggest first round matches in modern grand slam history.
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Zverev is one of the tournament favourites but now must end Nadal’s career at the slam he has dominated like nobody else in tennis history, if he is to break through on clay.
It is a rematch of their 2022 French Open semi-final where Nadal was pushed to the absolute brink before Zverev badly injured his ankle and was forced to retire.
Zverev, who lost from two sets up in the Australian Open semi-final, has a court case looming over allegations of domestic violence.
Australia’s No.11 seed Alex de Minaur will begin his tournament against Alex Michelsen.
Aussies Alexei Popyrin and Thanasi Kokkinakis will face each other in the opening round.