Carlos Alcaraz discussed seeing his renowned countryman Rafael Nadal play Alexander Zverev in the first round of the French Open. Zverev finally proved too strong for Nadal, who lost 3-6, 6(5)-7, 3-6. It might have been Nadal’s final match at the French Open, where he has won 14 times.
Though Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek left after the second set ended, Alcaraz remained until the end, when the tournament director persuaded Nadal to say a few words regarding his potential future involvement at the claycourt Grand Slam.
During a press conference, Alcaraz was questioned about his thoughts on watching Nadal play Zverev after he overcame a serious scare in the second round against Jesper De Jong. The two-time Grand Slam champion said he hoped Nadal would return to the French Open.
Alcaraz told the media: “He (Nadal) has also said that he hopes it is not his last match here at Roland Garros, that he is going to try to return and I think that is also why a tribute was not paid to him and he has said it himself. But clearly, it is a very nice match to see, at least as a tennis fan, to see Rafa here at Roland Garros.”
Alcaraz continued by deeply investigating his emotions after seeing Nadal play live at Roland Garros.
He added: “I have not been lucky enough to see it live; I think it is the first match that I have seen live here at Roland Garros and the truth is that, since I could, it was an experience that I had to live. For me, a match with Zverev was a good match, even though he lost. And the truth is, What better way than to see it until the last moment?”
Alcaraz at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Currently the world no.3, the Spaniard has a 20-5 win-loss record in 2024. Carlos is participating at the French Open where he overcame the world no.107 Jeff Wolf 6-1 6-2 6-1 and the world no.176 Jesper De Jong 6-3 6-4 2-6 6-2.
will square off with the world no.28 Sebastian Korda in the 3rd round. Their record is 3-1 for Alcaraz.Alcaraz has won 1 title in 2024 in Indian Wells.
The Spaniard won 14 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 7 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Now ranked no.275, the Spaniard played his last match on the 27th of May when he capitulated to world no.4 Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 in the 1st round of the French Open (draw).
This season the Spaniard has achieved a compiled 7-5 win-loss record.
Nadal will compete next at the Wimbledon (Wimbledon). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 1st of July.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal faced off 3 times. Their record is 2-1 for Nadal. The last time they locked horns, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2 1-6 6-3 in the quarter in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) in May 2022.
Here the video highlights.