Rafael Nadal faces Alexander Zverev in the first round of Roland Garros | ATP Tour

Roland Garros

Nadal will face Zverev in an epic first round at Roland Garros

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May 23, 2024

Rafael Nadal, 14-time Roland Garros champion, will face world No. 4 Alexander Zverev in a spectacular first round in what could be the Spaniard’s last participation in the clay Grand Slam.

The Mallorcan, who has a record of 112-3 in the tournament, arrives in Paris after finishing the second round in Rome. Nadal dominates Zverev 7-3 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head, and they will replay the epic 2022 semifinal duel, when Zverev was forced to retire due to an ankle injury in the second set after almost three hours and 13 minutes of intense battle.

The winner will face former world No. 7 David Goffin or French wild card Giovanni Mphetshi Perricard in the second round. Two-time quarterfinalist Holger Rune is a potential fourth-round opponent for Nadal or Zverev, who lifted the Rome trophy days ago.

Daniil Medvedev will start against German Dominik Koepfer and could meet fourth seed Zverev in the semifinals. Medvedev’s best result at Roland Garros was the quarterfinals reached in 2021.

The current champion Novak Djokovic will debut against the French guest Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Djokovic has won the Paris tournament three times and could meet Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals. The Norwegian will begin the tournament against Czech #NextGenATP Jakub Mensik.

Djokovic has not won titles this year and competes this week in Geneva looking to regain his best level. The Serbian will try to extend the record with a 25th major in Paros, where he aspires to retain the top of the PIF ATP Rankings against the push of the Italian Jannik Sinner.

At the bottom of the draw, second seed Jannik Sinner will open the tournament against Christopher Eubanks, while third seed Carlos Alcaraz will start against a player from the qualifying phase.

Sinner leads the tour with three titles in 2024, including his first Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open. Jannik has not competed since he participated in Madrid at the end of April, due to a hip injury. The Italian could face French wild card Richard Gasquet or Borna Coric in the second round, and would face a possible duel with Cameron Norrie in the third round.

Nicolás Jarry, runner-up in Rome, is a potential rival in the fourth round. Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz could meet Sinner in the quarterfinals.

Alcaraz will seek his third Grand Slam in Paris. The Murcian achieved his best result in the clay Grand Slam, reaching the semifinals last year. Alcaraz could face 15th seed Ben Shelton in the fourth round and Madrid champion Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals. Rublev debuts against the Japanese Taro Daniel.

The first round will have spectacular duels. Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 champion, will take on former world No. 1 Andy Murray, while No. 11 seed Alex de Minaur will battle American #NextGenATP Alex Michelsen. French No. 1 ugo Humbert leads the local hopes and will make his debut against Lorenzo Sonego. Two-time finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas competes at the bottom of the draw and will open against Marton Fucsovics.