The epic turned into a tragedy within a few moments. Deep, but not enough because the epic will live. Nothing can destroy the work carved in fire Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. There are fourteen titles, a record of superhuman overtones reflected in the statue erected by the French Tennis Federation (FFT) in his honor in a visible place in the facility.
The king of the earth was, is and will be Rafael Nadal. Past, present and future that continue in your hands, as dictated by your body and mind, so that the desire to compete will not be exhausted. The tournament made a tribute to the legend, a plan stuck at the express request of Manacorí, who did not close the door to have another edition left to compete. If it is a certain goodbye, time and he will tell.
He’s 38 years old, but he doesn’t feel far from the demands of the elite if injuries allow him to work regularly. This is shown by the facts. This Roland Garros 2024 was tragic because it went wrong from the start when a malicious draw paired him with a magnificent Alexander Zverev, who showed why he just conquered the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome, climbing to world No. 4. Semifinalist in three previous editions, the German won by 6-3, 7-6 (5) and 6-3 in 3h.04′. The final forehand was thrown away by Nadal, exhausted from the physical and emotional battle.
A historic result given Rafa Nadal’s high bar on the clay court temple. He has never lost in the opening round. The circumstances are very different from his previous eighteen appearances, which he inaugurated by lifting his first Musketeers Cup in 2005. And the remarkable fact that this is the first time in his ATP career that he lost two consecutive matches on this surface, because before he was loaned to Rome with Hubert Hurkacz. It says a lot about the Spaniard’s career, about how he dictated an unforgettable season.
The hype is merciless Nadal, that he needs more games to face a top-10 like the German. He lacks the distinctive aspect that comes with regularity in high competition, the confidence that comes with victories. Also the background, obtained based on encounters of this type. But not a but, because the attitude is impeccable. And it provided minutes of excellence, especially in the second set.
The storm intensified in the French capital a few minutes before 3:12 pm, when the screams of “Rafa, Rafa, Rafa” They received the myth in a Philippe Chatrier with more than 15,000 people, with fans who invented corners where there were none. Rumbling more and more inside the house. Everyone was on their feet, with mobile phones recording another magical Nadal spell. Because he was also good at losing, fourth in 116 games, after the 2009 second-round loss against Robin Soderling2015 quarterfinals against Novak Djokovic and ‘semi’ of 2021 against Serbia itself.
A track record that explains why those present turned the stadium into a pro-Nadal ‘bombonera’. With a fanfare encouraging beating of drums and brass. In the stands, pay attention, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
Below, a nadal very nervous at the beginning, gave his serve blank. It wasn’t until he broke free in the second set that the match was turned upside down, driving the crowd crazy, who had never been so focused on someone who acted like a hero. He was unable to finish at 5-4 and serve, missing the tiebreak, where he cut several balls out of necessity. He missed the form a bit.
But he persevered, taking a 2-0 lead in the third set. An exercise in resilience, an example of a champion also in defeat. The stadium gave him a hero’s farewell. He took advantage of the virtues that brought him to the top. The background is what it is, and he did not find a prize because in front of him he had one of the tennis players in the best condition of the moment. Damn hype, but the Nope. 275 in the world ranking of the Balearic Islands brought this risk.
Nadal said see you soon or goodbye, in front of his team and his family, with the little one Raphael in his mother’s arms Mary Perello. We will see. He continues to teach lessons in sportsmanship, in good times and bad. Rafa said goodbye, Zverev continued that in his previous commitment to leave this center in a wheelchair due to an ankle injury. Irony of fate, then it also rained in Paris.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
