Rafael Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion, has been knocked out in the first round of the 2024 French Open by Alexander Zverev. In a match that lasted 3 hours and 5 minutes, Zverev defeated Nadal in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3. This marks Nadal's first-ever first-round defeat at Roland Garros and only his fourth career loss at the tournament. Zverev, the No. 4 seed and current Rome champion, becomes just the third player to beat Nadal at Roland Garros, joining Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling. Nadal, who was unseeded this year, may have played his final match at his favorite tournament, as he hinted at a potential retirement. The match was a rematch of their 2022 semifinal, where Zverev retired due to an ankle injury. The crowd gave Nadal a standing ovation, acknowledging his legendary career on the clay courts of Roland Garros.
Rafael Nadal exits Roland-Garros for what could be the final time in his career He owns an 112-4 record at the French Open… Legend https://t.co/9MVtVjLhRA
Thank you, @RafaelNadal ❤️ #rolandgarros @rolandgarros https://t.co/9PbDpCli2Z
Zverev, who was taken off the court in a wheelchair after a horrendous ankle injury against Nadal in the semifinals two years ago, became just the third man ever to beat Nadal at the French Open, joining Djokovic and Robin Soderling. https://t.co/LZWJQAHFur
A standing ovation for Rafael Nadal as he leaves the court. One of the greatest of all time. 🧡 #RolandGarros (via @RolandGarros) https://t.co/9Xakl3i6HP
Rafael Nadal's return to French Open was cut short as he exited in the first round. #FrenchOpen @ITGDsports https://t.co/OWK6sPYEeu
A privilege, @RafaelNadal 👏 #RolandGarros https://t.co/svsMa11pBG
Alexander Zverev becomes only the second player after Novak Djokovic (in 2015) to defeat Rafael Nadal in straight sets on clay via @tennisabstract https://t.co/4L9BOP5tkk
A privilege, @RafaelNadal 👏 #Roland https://t.co/ykwcv7kudv
SPORTS ALERT: Rafael Nadal lost in the first round of the French Open to Alexander Zverev in what might turn out to be the 14-time champion’s last match at his favorite tournament. https://t.co/INoOTpD3n1
Rafael Nadal, a 14-time French Open winner, was knocked out in the first round by Alexander Zverev in what could be his final appearance at the tournament https://t.co/JsyhKMPTyY
Rafael Nadal addresses the tennis world after falling in the first round of the 2024 French Open. #RolandGarros (via @RolandGarros) https://t.co/5OQQbLwGVf
Rafael Nadal falls to Alexander Zverev in likely final French Open https://t.co/FUnRa2G7wS https://t.co/u71GQwQWIF
“I am not 100% sure, but if it’s last time, I enjoy it, no? The crowd have been amazing...and today, the feelings that I have today are difficult to describe in words, but for me so special to feel the love of the people the way that I felt in the place that I love the most.’ https://t.co/LZWJQAHFur
Rafael Nadal falls to Alexander Zverev in likely final French Open https://t.co/ABr3rdhH9c https://t.co/UqqgrOXvAz
Former tennis world number one Rafael Nadal knocked out of French Open in first round https://t.co/NzgF4w2670
Rafa is 112-3 at #rolandgarros He made the finals 14 times and won every single time. Truly one of the best. https://t.co/LG3bZqI6Zz
Zverev (-330) picks up the win. 👏 https://t.co/3QB97vZdhb https://t.co/9O6Cxkxl9s
BREAKING: 14-time champion Rafael Nadal loses to Alexander Zverev in the first round of the French Open. (via @AP) https://t.co/kr8HGGVXDm
Rafael Nadal thanks the crowd in what could be his final moment at #RolandGarros 🐐🙏 (via @rolandgarros) https://t.co/jCgy2guHTU
Alexander Zverev is just the third player to defeat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. Continue reading 👇
Rafael Nadal is out of the French Open after a first-round defeat by fourth seed Alexander Zverev. It could be the last time we see the record 14-time champion in action at #RolandGarros as he considers retirement https://t.co/C8d5dFCNyR
Rafael Nadal loses to Alexander Zverev and is out of Roland Garros, in what could be his final French Open appearance ⬇ https://t.co/iTUREKsgDE
BREAKING: 14-time champion Rafael Nadal loses to Alexander Zverev in the first round of the French Open. https://t.co/6rhs9SDgSj
Zverev (-380) hands Rafael Nadal his first-ever first-round defeat at #rolandgarros Nadal thanks the crowd in what could be his final time on the clay 🥲 https://t.co/dY3V8Vjv9Z
There will be no magical run, no age- and injury-defying push into the deep end of the competition. Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of Roland Garros... perhaps for the final time. More from @mattfutterman ⤵️ https://t.co/pxCmDA4lAz
Rafael Nadal lost in the first round of the French Open to Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Monday in what might turn out to be the 14-time Roland Garros champion's last match at his favorite tournament. https://t.co/xmvEwAVnsK
We hope to see you again at Roland-Garros, merci Nadal.🥹 (🎥: @rolandgarros) https://t.co/Po7oWsgZcq
“If it is the last time, I enjoyed it” 🥹 @RafaelNadal @rolandgarros https://t.co/qYBraHs6jX
#FrenchOpen: #RafaelNadal knocked out in 1st round in potential Roland Garros swansong https://t.co/c9qnfVCKD1
“First of all, thank you Rafa from all the tennis world,” Zverev said. “I’ve watched Rafa play all my childhood and I was lucky enough to play Rafa when I became a professional. I was lucky enough to play him two times on this beautiful court and I don’t know what to say. " https://t.co/LZWJQAHFur
JUST IN | French Open 2024: Rafael Nadal knocked out of likely last French Open by Alexander Zverev
Rafael Nadal knocked out of the French Open in the first round as legendary Spaniard loses in straight sets to Alexander Zverev in likely Roland Garros farewell https://t.co/ytuOEcdPCc https://t.co/8kFscPybfI
No heroic victory for Nadal today, but he gave us some great chills in a PHENOMENAL atmosphere! 6-3 7-6 6-3 in 3h05: the King of Roland-Garros did not go down without a fight against Zverev 💪 https://t.co/DxNpS39mzo
He lost 4 times at @rolandgarros . FOUR. @RafaelNadal is the Clay Court 🐐, and I doubt anyone in my lifetime ever comes close. https://t.co/nQ3VuEpUBp
#BREAKING: Rafael Nadal knocked out of likely last French Open by Alexander Zverev #AFPSports #rolandgarros https://t.co/w17ZqsPzqj
Rafael Nadal is OUT of the French Open. ❌ He's exited at the first round stage for the first time in his career. Alexander Zverev is only the third player to defeat him at Roland Garros. Will we see the 14-time winner playing here again? #BBCTennis #FrenchOpen https://t.co/eRMMf8FVot
Through to the second round ⏩ Alexander Zverev defeats Rafael Nadal 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 as the crowd gets on their feet for the 14-time champion. #RolandGarros https://t.co/WU287EUUOo
The King is dead...Long live the King #RafaNadal #RolandGarros
Well that’s it (maybe) for Nadal at the French Open. Zverev becomes just the third player to beat him here, after Djokovic (twice) and Soderling. https://t.co/7r3ICEUdyE
Now on @ForbesSports Rafael Nadal Falls to Alexander Zverev In What May Have Been His Final Match At Roland Garros via @forbes https://t.co/zekTSid3bs @bgtennisnation @PatrickMcEnroe @ChrisMcKendry @Steve_Weissman https://t.co/8neVXrtd6K
BREAKING: Rafael Nadal loses his fourth-ever match at #RolandGarros, in the first round, to Alexander Zverev, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Was this the 14-time champion’s final appearance on the terre battue? Report from Paris 👇 https://t.co/OwGDMpugah
Alexander Zverev plays a fantastic match to defeat Rafael Nadal 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 and become just the THIRD ever player to beat the 14-time champ at #RolandGarros. Into the second round. Nadal’s just fourth career loss in this tournament. Absurd. https://t.co/F01xwYC1En
Heartbreak in Paris 💔 Alexander Zverev battles past 14-time champion Rafael Nadal to reach the second round. #RolandGarros https://t.co/XXz0XuU44l
Sprinting into the next round 💨 @AlexZverev defeats 14-time @rolandgarros champion Nadal to advance. #TennisParadise https://t.co/tD1umEJmD2
No celebration from Zverev as he closes out Nadal, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. Rafa, forever the 14-time champion, will say his goodbye to Roland Garros.
BREAKING: Rafael Nadal loses his fourth-ever match at #RolandGarros, in the first round, to Alexander Zverev, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Was this the 14-time champion’s final appearance on the terre battue? Report from Paris: https://t.co/OwGDMptIkJ
Moving 🔛 @AlexZverev halts Nadal's chances at a run in Paris 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3. @rolandgarros | #RolandGarros https://t.co/Ffv0QVBnPv
Rafael Nadal has fallen in straight sets at Roland Garros to (4) Alexander Zverev (6-3, 7-6, 6-3). 🔗 https://t.co/PEbVmq6Rz4 https://t.co/HJMDraGYIN
112 - Rafael Nadal has won 112 matches at the Roland Garros, the highest tally in Men's Singles main draws in the Open Era in a single Major event. Farewell? #rolandgarros | @rolandgarros https://t.co/L21nN5jJ44
In what could be his last French Open appearance, Rafael Nadal loses in the opening round. 😖 https://t.co/5gdR1wJKHr
"That's the last dance for @RafaelNadal at @RolandGarros."
Nadal & Roland-Garros. Forever iconic ❤️💛 Whether this was the 14-time champion’s final @rolandgarros or not - thank you for an incredible Parisian adventure, Rafa! https://t.co/nAtjMbTaP5
End of an era. Rafael Nadal loses in the first round of the French Open to 4-seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets. #RolandGarros https://t.co/UNI88zKFwI
3/74 - Alexander Zverev has become only the third player to defeat Rafael Nadal at the Roland Garros after Robin Soderling and Novak Djokovic - Nadal faced 74 different opponents at this event. Elected. #rolandgarros | @rolandgarros https://t.co/vfnL4F1lR1
BREAKING: Rafael Nadal falls short of French Open miracle as Alexander Zverev dumps out icon in first round https://t.co/P9kxuAqCv1
Zverev defeats Nadal 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 to advance to the second round of @rolandgarros
Sascha the giant slayer 🔥 @AlexZverev defeats 14-time #rolandgarros champion Nadal in what is expected to be the last appearance in Paris for the Spaniard @rolandgarros https://t.co/ZWqUJVs1D6
Two years after their epic unfinished match, Zverev hands Nadal his first-ever first-round defeat at Roland-Garros 🤯 #RolandGarros https://t.co/OGsZ2RoQuc
Never gets old 🔥 @RafaelNadal #rolandgarros https://t.co/4OyTld5A0H
All of the stars are out for Rafa vs. Zverev 🤩 🍿 Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, and Novak Djokovic appear at Court Philippe-Chatrier ... as spectators👇 #RolandGarros https://t.co/SaEMzqM6Tn
Insane shotmaking from Rafa 🤯 @RafaelNadal | #RolandGarros https://t.co/fPmpUBElAI
While all eyes 👀 are on Rafa Nadal vs Alexander Zverev, there is still action all around #RolandGarros 🔥 Stay updated on all live scores here 👇 https://t.co/JhErabYAhG
Zverev weathers the storm 🌩 Alexander Zverev comes back from 3-5 down and takes the second set 7-6(5) over Nadal. #RolandGarros https://t.co/3lntA3oMZf
Nadal served for the second set but could not close it. Zverev leads 6-4, 7-6 (5) @rolandgarros
Zverev two sets to love up on Nadal, 6-3 7-6. Just too strong in that return game at 4-5* and a few bad choices from Rafa in the tie-break 🇩🇪🇪🇸
Defending French Open champion Novak Djokovic is in the stands for Rafael Nadal vs. Alexander Zverev 🍿 #RolandGarros (via @RolandGarros) https://t.co/osuT2W7EGr
Quite a return game from Zverev to get the break back in the second set. 5-5, as Nadal gets broken to love while serving for the set
History in the making - Nadal is playing Alexander Zverev in the First Round today in what could be his final French Open. #rafaelnadal @RafaelNadal https://t.co/3XGFCMqid4
🚨 NADAL GETS THE BREAK 🚨 Things are heating up on Philippe Chatrier. Follow all of the LIVE SCORES 👉 https://t.co/3GYpyLnsa7 #RolandGarros https://t.co/RboVulVMP6
Momentum shift 🔄 Rafael Nadal gets the break to go up 3-2 in the second over Zverev! #RolandGarros https://t.co/mCKTOT5sim
Sascha Zverev clinches the first set 6-3 over Rafael Nadal. 💪 We're on the edge of our seats! 🍿 #RolandGarros https://t.co/AAZ4Y0xKe8
Nadal playing well enough, but Zverev is too steady at the moment. Zverev breaks again to take opening set 6-3. #RolandGarros
6-3 Zverev in the first set. Nadal wasn’t bad by any measure, but Zverev is playing beautifully and brutally https://t.co/WfBpRliuvo
Rafael Nadal takes on Alexander Zverev in a high-value French Open 2024 first round clash. #FrenchOpen2024 #NadalvsZverev Updates: @ITGDsports https://t.co/9HLOHWRnUZ
Zverev breaks to love in the first game. Nadal a bit slow + a double fault. Much probably nervous...
Zverev takes the opening game and breaks Nadal. ⚡️ #RolandGarros https://t.co/N5KD3KsTTK
Rafael Nadal takes the court for what could possibly be his last time at the French Open. ❤️ (🎥: @rolandgarros) https://t.co/YXjqwpr0q2
Want to keep up with Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev? ⚔️ 👀 Visit https://t.co/3GYpyLnsa7 for all LIVE SCORES from #RolandGarros https://t.co/ik66n6S5DL
🇪🇸 Rafael Nadal gets in one last practice before facing off with 🇩🇪 Alexander Zverev. To keep up with all LIVE SCORES 👉 https://t.co/3GYpyLnsa7 #RolandGarros https://t.co/wTAMPHDH70
🇪🇸 Rafael Nadal gets in one last practice before facing off against 🇩🇪 Alexander Zverev. To keep up with all LIVE SCORES 👉 https://t.co/3GYpyLnsa7 #RolandGarros https://t.co/wTAMPHDH70
Only one can win. 👀 Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev are set to face off at approximately 9:00AM ET. Be sure to tune in on Tennis Channel and stream live on Tennis Channel+ ➡️ https://t.co/tPoe44TDv0! 🍿 #RolandGarros https://t.co/Rl9It4jgbS
Get ready for Rafa! 🇪🇸 Stream the exciting Nadal v. Zverev match TOMORROW on Tennis Channel+ ➡️ https://t.co/tPoe44TDv0 #RolandGarros https://t.co/AbUoChv15M
All eyes on this first round match 🍿 The TC Live desk previews the first round match between Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal. #TCLIVE #RolandGarros https://t.co/Ey9s4tbjh8
Rafael Nadal takes on the No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev in the first round. Should the 14-time champ have been seeded at #RolandGarros? 👀 #TCLive https://t.co/KpCC8l5ctS
Rafael Nadal to face No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev in French Open first round https://t.co/yUhfxEBr8R https://t.co/mj1Pcjju4f
Rafael Nadal, the 14-times French Open champion, has been pitted against Alexander Zverev, the No 4 seed from Germany, in the first round of what is set to be his last appearance at Roland Garros. Read the full story ⬇️ | ✍️ @stu_fraser https://t.co/Mywk3LKLZX
Record 14-time champion Rafael Nadal handed tough draw against Alexander Zverev in 2024 French Open. #FrenchOpen2024 #RafaelNadal #RolandGarros #NadalvsZverev https://t.co/OAntpL7RjM
Rafael Nadal has been drawn Alexander Zverev in the first round of the French Open 🇫🇷🎾 Andy Murray will play Stan Wawrinka 🇬🇧 The first round draw ⬇️ https://t.co/vMBeY2F4X1
Record 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal draws World No. 4 Alexander Zverev in the first round of the tournament Nadal, who holds a 112–3 all-time record at the French Open, could be making his final appearance at Roland Garros. https://t.co/W1NFJ5djYQ
2024 French Open: Men’s and Women’s Singles Draws. Nadal vs. Zverev in Rd 1! Wow. https://t.co/PLTwIXeu9b
You think Rafael Nadal can beat Alexander Zverev in @rolandgarros 1st round?
🚨 Rafael Nadal has drawn Alexander Zverev in the first round of Roland Garros 🚨 Their last Roland Garros meeting was in the 2022 semifinal. Nadal went on to win the tournament, while Zverev had to retire from their match with injury. #RolandGarros https://t.co/KFF3RcaIAz
14-time French Open champ Rafa Nadal is unseeded and will meet world No. 4 Alexander Zverev in the 1st round in what could potentially be his last match at RG ever https://t.co/FFSK2Q3a59
🚨 Rafael Nadal has drawn Alexander Zverev in the first round of Roland Garros. A rematch of their 2022 semifinal awaits!👇 #RolandGarros https://t.co/KFF3RcaaL1
Here we go…. 1st round @rolandgarros It’s the current Rome champion Alexander Zverev (the 4th seed) vs the unseeded 14 time champion Rafa Nadal…. Buckle up
#RolandGarros men's draw with RAFAEL NADAL vs. ALEXANDER ZVEREV in the first round: https://t.co/XrC2ov4jCf
Rafael Nadal will meet Alexander Zverev in Round 1 of Roland Garros. They last met in Paris in the 2022 semifinals. https://t.co/FWNnaBTWBv
Brutal draw for Nadal, one of the very toughest possible in what is very likely his final French Open. #zverev https://t.co/q4lwj5AALD
14-time champion Rafael Nadal will face Alexander Zverev in the first round 🤯🚨 #RolandGarros https://t.co/x53RksMXVE
Rafael Nadal, 14 time champ at the French Open but unseeded this year, draws No. 4 seed and Rome champ Alexander Zverev in the first round. A rematch of their French Open duel in 2022 when Zverev badly injured his ankle and retired
14-time champion Rafael Nadal will face No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev in the first round 🤯🚨 #RolandGarros https://t.co/x53RksMXVE
14-time champion Rafael Nadal will face No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev in the first round. https://t.co/x53RksMXVE
Alexander Zverev will face Rafael Nadal in round one of #RolandGarros
#RolandGarros R1 Rafael Nadal vs. Alexander Zverev
14-time champion Rafael Nadal will meet No.4 seed Alexander Zverev in the 1R of @rolandgarros
Alexander Zverev vs Rafael Nadal in round one. Going to need a while for that one to sink in. #RolandGarros
Oh my God. Nadal vs Zverev in Round 1 of the French Open.
Rafael Nadal will face (4) Alexander Zverev in the first round of Roland Garros(!!!!!!)
Men's singles R1 | #RolandGarros (4) Zverev vs Nadal
🇪🇸Rafael Nadal will face a seed in the first round of Roland Garros. #RolandGarros
14 time champ Rafael Nadal will face Alcaraz or Zverev in the first round…
Rafael Nadal will start against a 5-8 seed 😬 #RolandGarros