Major clash between Nadal - Becker's claims are disputed by Zverev.
Alexander Zverev (27) and tennis legend Rafael Nadal (37) will face each other at the French Open. This is remarkable as the Spaniard has been sidelined due to repeated injuries, dropping to 276th in the world rankings.
Being unseeded, Nadal could potentially meet a tough opponent. However, Zverev is not particularly thrilled about it. "It's a challenging draw for us both," says the Tokyo Olympic champion. "I'm certainly excited and await the match."
Despite his status as the underdog, Zverev is still considered a favorite. He recently won the Masters tournament in Rome, while Nadal has not been playing well, often retiring early and seems to be far from his best condition.
Nevertheless, Zverev acknowledges the presence of a powerful opponent. "Rafa's absence from Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Sinner's preferred opponents' lists suggests he's formidable," he said matter-of-factly.
Eurosport expert and ex-tennis player Boris Becker (56) suggests Zverev not to be overwhelmed by the myth of Nadal. "Remember, you're playing against the current Nadal, not the legend," Becker advised.
Zverev, however, maintains a different perspective. "I can't play against the current Nadal if I don't envision him at his peak. I'm determined to face a Nadal who's at the top of his game, just like he was in 2022," he explained.
Zverev's experiences of 2022
Zverev recalls a significant fact: "In 2022, he came to Roland Garros without any wins, losing in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. The question mark over him was massive. Then he completely dominated the entire tournament."
The only blemish on the Spaniard's recent record was in the semi-finals against Zverev. However, the match ended sadly for the German, who injured his ankle, rupturing several ligaments and went off the field for seven months. "I'm grateful for this opportunity to play against a legend once again," said Zverev. "My last memory of an opponent against Nadal wasn't ideal – I was being wheeled off the court. But I'd rather have played him later in the tournament."
However, that won't happen. Additionally, Nadal's arrival in Paris for what could be his last French Open is expected to attract 15,000 spectators to cheer him on. "I'm aware that the crowd will favor him in a tournament that could be his last. It's a different atmosphere from 2022, where the crowd was evenly split. But that's all right," Zverev concluded.
The upcoming event promises to be an intense, emotional affair, with Zverev facing off against someone who is considered the best in the sport. [The end.]
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Source: symclub.org
