There is never a method in madness, yet if you were to assess Rafael Nadal entering the French Open this year, it was almost an act of bravado. On Monday evening, the winner of 14 French Open titles succumbed to Alexander Zverev in the first round at Court Philippe-Chatrier.
This was not meant to be a David vs Goliath contest. Yet, if you looked at the three-hour-long contest, what cannot be wiped out is the fact that Nadal lost in three straight sets. Pray, when was the last time the winner of 22 Grand Slam titles was subjected to such humiliation?
For a man who has romanced clay like no one else, Nadal made a big mistake by being adventurous and signing up for the French Open. Competing in a Grand Slam is serious business – a player has to go through seven best-of-five-sets matches in a fortnight to win the title. For Nadal to be bounced out in the first round is a shame he could have avoided. He slipped on clay, literally, and that hurts all of us.
There is nothing left to prove for Nadal at this stage in his career. He has won and done all that he could. Yes, his body has not cooperated but that is nature, to be suffering injuries and different kinds of trauma. If Nadal was challenging himself, then this really was not needed.
He has struggled to get back to peak fitness since January 2023, when he was shown the door by Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open. At the time, Nadal was injured. However, in the summer of 2023, before the French Open, he said he would take the year off and try and be fit for 2024. Nadal wanted a final fling at the French Open and, more importantly, at the Olympics. Sadly, despite the long break, full fitness has proved elusive. It is impossible at nearly 38 to match younger and fitter players.
“It is difficult for me to talk, I don’t know if it’s the last time I will be there in front of you all,” he said, addressing the crowd later. This was the harsh truth, bitter realisation that he is nowhere close to peak condition.
“The feelings I have today are difficult to describe in words, it is the place I love the most,” he added, voice tinged with emotion. “I have to congratulate Sasha [Zverev] for this great match. I really wish you all the best in this tournament. 2022 was a tough moment for you so you deserve it.
“I have been going through a very tough two years in terms of injuries. I went all through these processes with the dream to be back here. It’s hard to say about the future. I am travelling with my family and I am having fun. The body is feeling better than it did two months ago. Maybe in two months I say it’s enough. That is something I don’t feel yet. I hope to be back here for the Olympics, that motivates me. I really hope to be well prepared.”
Nadal didn’t close the door behind him. He craves Olympic glory in July, when the Paris 2024 extravaganza begins. He wants to grace that Olympic stage, maybe in singles, or doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
Did Nadal need to have play this French Open? His loss has hurt him and millions of fans. Like many other superstars, he has not been able to time his retirement well. Many struggled, like Roger Federer and Andre Agassi before him. Serena Williams had pushed hard, for that 24th Grand Slam, before calling it a day.
Nadal knows he has to think hard. No one knows yet how this setback will impact him. But millions of fans who have followed him for two decades may wonder whether this brave attempt was worth it.