Rafael Nadal faces Alexander Zverev in a blockbuster French Open first-round clash, in what could be the record 14-time champion’s final match at Roland Garros. The Spaniard, 37, says this year’s tournament may not be his last in Paris, forcing any planned farewell ceremonies to be postponed, but has admitted there is a “big, big chance” he is playing at the French Open for the final time.
Nadal has dominated the French Open since winning the tournament on his debut in 2005, winning a stunning 112 matches while only losing three times. The ‘King of Clay’ was unseeded after returning from injury and was handed a brutal first-round match against the German fourth seed Zverev, who broke his ankle during a close semi-final clash against Nadal the 2022 semi-finals.
Elsewhere in Paris, defending champion Iga Swiatek gets her tournament defence underway while Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff are in action. Cameron Norrie will hope to advance after defeats for Andy Murray and Jack Draper on the opening day yesterday.
Follow live scores and updates from the French Open in today’s live blog
French Open: Andy Murray proud of his Roland Garros legacy after defeat to Stan Wawrinka
Andy Murray will depart Roland Garros, probably for the final time, proud of his legacy at the French Open, writes Andy Sims.
The 37-year-old Scot, still expected to retire this year despite some recent wavering, was beaten in the first round by fellow veteran Stan Wawrinka.
Murray never won the French Open, due chiefly to the dominance of Rafael Nadal and, to a lesser extent, Novak Djokovic.
But on his least favourite surface, and one that he has struggled on physically, Murray still reached the final in 2016 where he was runner-up to Djokovic.
“I did really well here over the years,” he said. “You know, a lot of results and stuff, I think the issue for me is that when you compare it to what Rafa or Novak achieved in the same time, it obviously is minuscule in comparison.
“Most players would sign up for the results I’ve had here. I played a final, I think four semis and made the quarters a couple of times as well. I lost in the semis to Novak in five, Stan in five, and twice to Rafa. Obviously no shame in that.
“In a different time maybe the results would have been a bit different. But I’m proud of the results that I had here. I had great memories.
“It was not an easy surface for me. But I always showed up and put in some strong performances, considering. It was a good run here over the years.”
Jamie Braidwood27 May 2024 13:10
French Open: Iga Swiatek begins Roland Garros defence
Iga Swiatek is back on Court Philippe-Chatrier, as the World No 1 and tournament favourite begins the defence of her title. The Pole is going for three in a row, and fourth in five years, and arrives in Paris having won the major clay titles in Madrid and Rome.
Swiatek beat Aryna Sabalenka in both finals, and a rematch against the World No 2 looks a likely final on form. Both Swiatek is a level above at the moment, and the odds are stacked against her opening opponent Leolia Jeanjean. The French qualifier is ranked 148th in the world.
The intrigue here is Swiatek will play fellow four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka if she wins. It would be a sensational round two match between the current World No 1 and a former World No 1.
Play is still suspended on the outside courts so this is one of two matches currently in action. It’s underway now with Jeanjean to serve.
Jamie Braidwood27 May 2024 12:55
French Open: Game, set and match!
Ons Jabeur is also safely through after a 6-3 6-2 win over the American wildcard Sachia Vickery; plenty of drop shots and variety on display from the eighth seed during the straight-sets win.
“It’s all about getting through and getting to the next round. It was slow conditions and the road to the final is long. I hope the people will be with me all the way.”
It’s hard to believe Jabeur has only reached the quarters at Roland Garros. She could have Coco Gauff to come should she return to the last eight.
Jamie Braidwood27 May 2024 12:35
French Open: Game, set and match!
Jannik Sinner opens his French Open campaign with a straight-sets win over Christopher Eubanks. It looked fairly routine for the Australian Open champion, but Sinner looked a little uncomfortable with his movement in the third set.
The Italian closed it out and now faces Richard Gasquet in the next round.
“I’m just happy to be back on court,” Sinner says. “I’m trying to build every day and I’m happy about today’s performance.
“The hip is good, I’m very happy. We worked very hard to get back on court as soon as possible. I’m not 100 per cent yet, but we are building.”
Jamie Braidwood27 May 2024 12:24
Rafael Nadal on whether this is his last French Open
This was Nadal’s full answer when he spoke about his future ahead of the tournament.
“In terms if that’s going to be my last Roland Garros, it’s a long answer, but I think I need to answer that, because we’re going to avoid future questions since the beginning – so I’m going to do it.
“As I said, it’s a big, big chance that it’s going to be my last Roland Garros, but if I have to tell you it’s 100 per cent my last Roland Garros, sorry, but I will not, because I cannot predict what’s going on. I hope you understand.
“Myself, I have been going through a long process of recovery with a very difficult injury, almost two years of suffering, a recovering process that seems like I feel better now.
“I am not a guy that reacts because I lost there or I lost in the other place, no? I react about my personal feelings, and my personal feelings are better now than one month and a half ago, without a doubt.
“So in some way I don’t want to close, 100 per cent, the door, because of a very simple thing.
“First thing, I am enjoying playing tennis. Second thing, I am travelling with the family. They are enjoying and I am enjoying sharing all this process with them.
“And the third thing, I was not able to explore yet the proper way how I will be able to play in more or less healthy conditions, playing without limitation.
“So give me some time. Maybe in one month and a half I say ‘OK it’s enough, I can’t keep going’, but today in some way I cannot guarantee that that’s going to be the last one. But of course it’s a big chance.”
Jamie Braidwood27 May 2024 12:06
French Open scrap farewell after Rafael Nadal says 2024 may not be his last
French Open organisers have scrapped a planned farewell ceremony for Rafael Nadal after the 14-time champion revealed he may not quit this year after all, writes Andy Sims.
The Spaniard, who turns 38 next week, was expected to retire at the end of the current season but said on Saturday that he was not certain that this year’s tournament would be his last.
“If I have to tell you it’s 100 per cent my last Roland Garros, sorry, but I will not, because I cannot predict what’s going on,” he said.
Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo admitted that Nadal had already told her about his apparent U-turn.
She said: “As you can imagine, we had something planned for him, but he said yesterday – he told us actually before yesterday – that because he doesn’t know if it’s going to be his last Roland Garros or not.
“He wants to leave the door open for him maybe to come back next year as a player. So we’re not going to push him obviously to do anything.
“It’s his decision when he wants to have a proper ceremony. So we’re not going to do it this year. That’s his wish, even though we’re ready to push the button.”
Jamie Braidwood27 May 2024 12:03
French Open LIVE: Latest scores
Ons Jabeur has taken the opening set 6-3 against the American wildcard Sachia Vickery, as the Tunisian looks to make her grand slam breakthrough following three final defeats. The former Wimbledon and US Open runner-up has only made the quarter-finals at the French Open, even though she has the game to be the champion here.
Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, is cruising against the American Chris Eubanks and leads 6-3 6-3 and by a break in the third set. All eyes are on the Australian Open champion’s fitness, after the Italian missed his home tournament in Rome due to injury. He, too, is a big favourite in Roland Garros.
Jamie Braidwood27 May 2024 12:02
French Open LIVE: Latest scores
There are dark skies over Paris and unfortunately plan on the outside courts is suspended due to rain.
Thankfully there are roofs over Philippe-Chatrier and Suzanne-Lenglen, so the action is continues there.
Ons Jabeur and Jannik Sinner are in action first up on the main show courts.
Jamie Braidwood27 May 2024 11:54
French Open order of play, Monday 27 May
Sachia Vickery vs Ons Jabeur
Iga Swiatek vs Leolia Jeanjean
Alexander Zverev vs Rafael Nadal
Gael Monfils vs Thiago Seyboth Wild
Chris Eubanks vs Jannick Sinner
Marton Fucsovics vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Coco Gauff vs Julia Avdeeva
Elina Svitolina vs Karolina Pliskova
Rebeka Masarova vs Marketa Vondrousova
Matteo Arnaldi vs Arthur Fils
Maria Sakkari vs Varvara Gracheva
Dominik Koepfer vs Daniil Medvedev
Jamie Braidwood27 May 2024 11:50
How can I watch Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev?
You can watch the French Open live on Discovery+ and Eurosport in the UK. The action will be broadcast on Eurosport’s TV channels, or fans can tune into Discovery+ to stream the tournament, where an Entertainment & Sport pass is available for either £6.99/month or £59.99/year.
Watch every moment of Roland-Garros LIVE and exclusive on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App
Jamie Braidwood27 May 2024 11:50