Destiny, fate, chance, fate: no term would really be able to explain the meaning of a match like the one between Alexander Zverev And Rafael Nadal it is capable of enclosing both on one side and the other.
Two years after that semi-final which could have told a different story and which instead took refuge – with a sad ending – in the usual epilogue, the German and the Spaniard will find themselves sharing the Court Philippe-Chatrier to write a very special story how exciting.
Between doubts, fears and expectations: in Paris it will still be Zverev against Nadal in a first round that will have nothing at all about the first round.
Between doubts, fears and expectations: two years later, in Paris, it will be Zverev against Nadal again
Zverev’s doubts date back to that terrible injury suffered during the penultimate act of Roland Garros 2022, when during the match against Nadal he injured all three lateral ligaments of his right ankle due to the bad sprain that caused concern on the faces of all fans.
Without thinking about the opportunities wasted by Zverev in that first set lost despite seven set points, the Hamburg native asked himself several times while looking in the mirror: “Will I be able to play again? Will I have another chance to make my dream come true? ?
He doubted himself, but in Rome he sent a clear message by adding the first great title since that damned day. There are also numerous doubts in the mind of Nadal, who would like to dedicate himself to one last great ride on that carousel called Roland Garros and to which people compare the triumphant figure of him in every speech.
Fourteen successes achieved by the Majorcan on Parisian soil: a record that is difficult to even imagine. The king of red is a true monument in Paris – this is demonstrated by the statue sculpted by Jordi Díez Fernandez at the Grand Public entrance and at the Jardin des Mousquetaires – and he has no intention of abdicating without throwing his heart over the obstacle.
The results recorded between Barcelona, Madrid and Rome, however, predict calm. Nadal lost respectively against Alex de Minaur, Jiri Lehecka And Hubert Hurkacz pushing hard into the round of 16 at the Mutua Madrid Open.
Both of your fears might be different. Zverev will never be able to feel at ease on a pitch that saw him go out in a wheelchair and which risked changing his career. In various circumstances he referred to the anxiety that assails him on the precise piece of dirt where the unfortunate episode occurred.
Nadal’s fear is linked to his current conditions and the possibility – which exists – of not greeting Roland Garros as a legend of his caliber deserves. Fear that is intertwined with expectations, because Nadal – like his fans – believes in his heart that he can get his hands on that Musketeers Cup which has marked his growth year after year, celebration after celebration.
The other side of the coin tells of a Zverev who is more motivated than ever: Roland Garros is the Slam he wants to win at all costs. “I hope I can play my best tennis in Paris. It’s the Slam I want to win more than anyone.
It’s the most physical and tough one, the one where I built the most memories: both good and bad. Of course, to them US Open I came within two points of the title… but in Paris I reached three consecutive semi-finals playing the best tennis of my career, I injured my ankle and it’s an event always marked in red on my calendar.
It’s the Slam that I’m perhaps looking forward to the most.”
