From Australia, China and the US, Rafael Nadal fans on Monday descended on a chilly and damp Roland Garros, hoping to inspire their “superhero” to victory at the French Open.
In the end, many were reduced to tears as the 14-time champion slumped to a straight-sets loss to Alexander Zverev in his first-ever defeat in the opening round, likely signaling the end of the 38-year-old’s Grand Slam adventure in Paris.
Nadal matched world No. 4 Zverev for long periods on a packed Court Philippe Chatrier, but slipped to a 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 loss as he was beaten for just the fourth time in 116 matches at the tournament.
Photo: Reuters
“Personally, I’m very sad. He’s Rafa, a legend,” Mateo Castro, a 41-year-old French fan, said with tears in his eyes. “It’s hard to see him go.”
Michael Lundell, another Nadal fan who had traveled from Genoa to Paris to watch the match, was also in tears.
“I was crying, because I don’t think there has ever been another role model like him before in sports,” the 43-year-old said.
This year’s event was expected to be the 14-time champion’s farewell to Roland Garros, but he had since insisted he could not confirm “100 percent” it would be his last appearance.
“If it is [the last time], then you have been amazing,” Nadal told an adoring crowd under the Chatrier roof. “The feelings I have today are difficult to describe in words. It is the place I love the most.”
“It was a great match, I saw Rafael Nadal with an exceptional level again,” said Gregory Dubus, a 50-year-old French fan. “I’ve been following Nadal since 2005, his first victory here at Roland Garros, and to see him here, maybe in his last match was exciting.”
Like many fans at Roland Garros, there was a feeling that they were witnessing the end of an era.
“A player like Rafa, you never want him to retire, he’s a humble player, with an exceptional attitude on the court and in life, nobody wants him to stop,” Dubus said.
Before the start of the match, fans had hailed a player dubbed a “superhero”.
“You always have to keep the faith in Rafa, he will win,” said Hazel, a 28-year-old fan who had flown in from China for a second straight year after being left disappointed when Nadal withdrew last year.
“The most important thing is that he stays healthy,” she said, as she proudly showed the banners she had made with the colors of Spain, Nadal’s face and the message: “Welcome back my super hero.”
Meanwhile, women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek made a winning start in her bid for a fourth title, racing to a 6-1, 6-2 victory against French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean after just 61 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Swiatek today faces fellow four-time major champion Naomi Osaka.
The 22-year-old Pole is aiming to become the first woman to win three straight Roland Garros titles since Justine Henin in 2007, and only the second ever after Serena Williams to win the Madrid, Rome and French Opens in the same year.
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