Rafael Nadal handed nightmare first-round match in final French Open

rafael nadal handed nightmare first-round match in final french open

Rafael Nadal is playing Roland-Garros for the final time this year (Picture: Getty)

Rafael Nadal has been handed a nightmare first-round match in what is almost certain to be his final French Open appearance before retirement.

The 37-year-old ‘King of Clay’ has been a dominant force at the famous Grand Slam event in Paris for two decades, winning an incredible 14 men’s singles titles.

Nadal, though, is edging towards the end of his career and is widely expected to hang up his racket at some point this year, possibly after the Olympic Games.

As one of the most adored players in tennis history, many Nadal fans were hoping that the Spanish veteran would luck out with a favourable opening match to keep his hopes of a fairytale finish alive for as long as possible.

But the Roland-Garros gods have not been kind – with the draw seeing Nadal face fourth-seed Alexander Zverev in the first round – who just won the Italian Open.

At Thursday’s draw ceremony, shocked gasps could be heard when Zverev was named as Nadal’s opening opponent, one of the toughest names he could get.

Nadal has dropped to 276th in the world after long-term injury problems and heads into Roland-Garros unseeded for the first time.

rafael nadal handed nightmare first-round match in final french open

There were shocked gasps when Rafael Nadal’s opponent was named (Picture: Getty)

Elsewhere, British hero Andy Murray, who has also spoken openly about retirement and could call it a day after the Olympics, faces Stan Wawrinka.

Like Nadal, it is likely to be the last time Murray features at the clay-court event, and he is not expected to go far given his game isn’t best suited to the surface.

Murray only recently returned from a horror ankle injury he picked up at the Miami Open in March.

In other news, Novak Djokovic gets started against French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert as he attempts to land his 25th Grand Slam singles title.

In the women’s singles, meanwhile, there is no Emma Raducanu but British No.1 Katie Boulter faces a tough match against Paula Badosa in the opening round.

The French Open gets started on Sunday, May 26 as Djokovic and Iga Swiatek look to defend their titles in the men’s singles and women’s singles respectively.

OTHER NEWS

20 minutes ago

House of the Dragon finally solves the mystery of Daeron Targaryen’s absence

23 minutes ago

CNN’s Kasie Hunt Ends Interview With Trump Spokeswoman After She Rails Against Debate Moderators Jake Tapper And Dana Bash

26 minutes ago

Video: A shocking lack of dignity: Inside A&E unit in the grips of NHS' 'year-round' care crisis - as footage shows elderly patient forced to urinate in the corridor, while others cry out in agony in four-hour ambulance queues

26 minutes ago

Video: Range Rover-driving couple in mask and keffiyeh is arrested at gunpoint before cops make startling discovery in their backseat as pro-Palestine mob runs wild through LA's Jewish suburb

26 minutes ago

Lando Norris rues costly bad start as Max Verstappen wins Spanish Grand Prix

27 minutes ago

Princess Anne sustains minor injuries and concussion in an 'incident,' Buckingham Palace says

27 minutes ago

Star Wars' Force Storm: Palpatine's Deadliest Sith Power, Explained

27 minutes ago

Car dealerships in North America revert to pens and paper after cyberattacks on software provider

27 minutes ago

Sources: NBA exec. Troy Weaver joining Wizards' front office

27 minutes ago

Not ruled out – Mum Judy furious at ‘leak’ on Andy Murray’s Wimbledon withdrawal

27 minutes ago

The best Myprotein deals to shop this week

27 minutes ago

This simple air fryer cake recipe will start you on a new baking journey

27 minutes ago

Justin Timberlake was arrested after anonymous tip-off from within hotel

27 minutes ago

Czech forward Schick to miss Turkey game - report

27 minutes ago

Extra security as Ronaldo's Portugal face Georgia

27 minutes ago

Consumer financial disputes’ claim limit to be raised to $150,000 in July

27 minutes ago

Illinois bill would make flying US flag upside down a felony

27 minutes ago

An art mystery is solved, and a historic portrait goes on display

27 minutes ago

Nigel Farage denies explosive Russia link and makes lawyer claim 'I am so angry'

27 minutes ago

With Bryson DeChambeau boost, Nashville sets attendance record for LIV Golf event in United States

31 minutes ago

These are the most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

32 minutes ago

Princess Anne hospitalized with minor injuries, a concussion after ‘incident' on her estate

32 minutes ago

Classic GameCube RPGs Shadow-Dropped on Steam

32 minutes ago

Jerry Jones' and Mike McCarthy's Cowboys relationship might be on the rocks

32 minutes ago

Best Landing Spots in Fortnite Reload

32 minutes ago

Where to watch Euros 2024 in Dubai

32 minutes ago

Revered New York hot dog joint that closed after 100 YEARS announces comeback

32 minutes ago

EUROS DAILY: Sub-par Scotland sent packing as Lineker rattles England

32 minutes ago

Video: Harry Kane appears to take direct swipe at Gary Lineker by lashing out at 'people with podcasts' who are trying to 'promote their own channels' after Match of the Day host slated England on his 'The Rest is Football' show

32 minutes ago

Two years after Dobbs; militants attack in southern Russia

36 minutes ago

Empty Stocks and Shares ISA? Here’s how I’d start earning a second income from scratch

36 minutes ago

Kaizer Chiefs: Five IN, FIVE OUT? New coaching staff

36 minutes ago

Emmanuel Macron's biggest gamble?

36 minutes ago

Mario and Luigi: Brothership Will Differ from Previous Games in the Series in 1 Big Way

36 minutes ago

CeCé Telfer, transgender athlete who won NCAA title, vows to 'take all the records' in indoor competitions

36 minutes ago

Watch Gogo Maweni's inspiring new home renovations

36 minutes ago

Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Likely Means One Trend is Here to Stay

36 minutes ago

Best Sonic Game Reveals

36 minutes ago

The Elder Scrolls 6's Main Quest Has to Avoid Repeating a Skyrim Mistake

36 minutes ago

Fact check: Trump says George Washington ‘probably didn’t’ own slaves. Washington did