Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played the match of the decade, and maybe the century, at Roland Garros

The 14-time Roland Garros champion stopped short of confirming that 2024 will be his last season, but faces a tough draw to start his 19th appearance in Paris.

ByDavid Kane

Published May 27, 2024

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Rafael Nadal is set to kick off his 2024 Roland Garros campaign on Monday, May 27 against No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany. They will face off third on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Rafael Nadal

Seed: Unseeded
Career-Best Ranking: 1
Age: 37
Career Titles: 92
Grand Slam Titles: 22 — Australian Open (2: 2009, 2022), Roland Garros (14: 2005-2008, 2010-2014, 2017-2020, 2022), Wimbledon (2: 2008, 2010), US Open (4: 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)

How has Nadal performed in 2024 so far?

Nadal has been off the court for much of the last two seasons, including 2024, which may or may not be the last of his career.

"It's a big, big chance that going to be my last Roland Garros," Nadal said in his pre-tournament press conference, "but if I have to tell you it's 100% my last Roland Garros, sorry, but I will not, because I cannot predict what's going on. I hope you understand."

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Fans have been plenty understanding as Nadal gears up to compete in his 19th Roland Garros main draw, having won the tournament a whopping 14 times. After missing the Australian Open due to an injury he picked up at the Brisbane International, the Spaniard sat out the Sunshine Swing and a planned appearances at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, finally returning to action at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell.

He lost there in the second round of Barcelona to Alex de Minaur but avenged the defeat one week later at the Mutua Madrid Open, where he enjoyed his best result of the year by reaching the fourth round. The Internazionali BNL d'Italia proved less successful when he exited again in the second round, this time to Hubert Hurkacz.

Where did Nadal land in the 2024 Roland Garros men's singles draw?

Nadal will open against Rome champion Alexander Zverev, who has reached the semifinals of Roland Garros for the last three years. In 2022, Zverev injured his ankle in the second set of his semifinal with Nadal, who went on to win the title. Nadal leads their head-to-head 7-3, but Zverev has been in fine form throughout the 2024 season, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and the Miami Open. While he is scheduled to stand trial for the appeal of a penalty order stemming from a domestic abuse charge filed by ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea, Zverev is not legally required to be present for the proceedings, which will begin on May 31.

Should Nadal pull off the upset, he would inherit Zverev's draw and not face another seed until at least the third round: No. 26 Tallon Griekspoor. In the same quarter as No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev, Nadal could face No. 13 seed Holger Rune or 18 seed Karen Khachanov in the fourth round.

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