Rafael Nadal's last appearance at the Roland Garros met an early end after bowing to Alexander Zverev in the first round.
The Spanish great came to the tournament unseeded, which is why he ended up drawing no. 4 Zverev, who is still fresh from his Italian Open 2024 victory.
The stars went out to see Nadal play one last time at the court he conquered many times.
Almost everyone was hoping he would be able to go out strong and have a longer campaign since it would be his last after he revealed earlier this year that 2024 would be his last season.
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Alas, ranked no. 275 Nadal failed to pull off an upset as the match ended in three sets, 6-3, 7-6(7-5) 6-3.
Zverev was just too hard of an opponent for Nadal, who is coming off a long layoff.
The opponent's long arms enhanced his agility in covering the entire court and dismissing Nadal's attacks.
Fans still got to savor the last-time all-time French Open champion, as he displayed what most people loved about him-his endurance and grit-with the match lasting more than three hours.
Nadal accepted the outcome without regret.
"The last two years, I have been working and going through probably the toughest process in my tennis career with the dream to come back here. At least I did," he said.
"I mean, I lost, but that's part of the business."
It was not the farewell that everyone expected for someone who is in the conversation of the Greatest Tennis Player of All Time.
That is probably what Nadal is feeling, too, as he teased that maybe retirement's door should remain closed for now.
Nadal is putting off retirement
Nadal, 38, thinks he can still go on.
He even described his body as a jungle. He probably thinks he can be both a prey and a predator at any time.
He told the jubilant crowd that the French Open is not the last tournament they will see him.
"I don't know if it's the last time I'll be here in front of all of you," he said during his on-court speech.
"Honestly, I am not sure. If it is, then you have been amazing."
Stars come out for Nadal
Novak Djokovic was among the most prominent names that witnessed Nadal's game against Zverev.
The Serbian, set to play Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round, previously said he wanted to battle Nadal again in the French Open.
Also in the crowd was rising superstar and fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
As for Zverev, he can only pay tribute to the man who was an inspiration to him growing up.
"I've watched Rafa play all my childhood and I was lucky enough to play Rafa when I became a professional," he told the interviewer after the conclusion of the match.
"I was lucky enough to play him two times on this beautiful court. I don't know what to say. Today is not my moment, it's Rafa's moment, so thank you."
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