Alexander Zverev Wanted to Avoid Rafael Nadal at 2024 Roland Garros to Put Memory of Horrific Ankle Injury Behind

Alexander Zverev is gearing up for Wimbledon, the main draw of which starts on June 29. Zverev will be chasing his second title of the season.

Ahead of the tournament, the German gave an interview to RTL+ during which he recalled meeting Rafael Nadal for the first time. They faced off for the first time in the fourth round of the 2016 Indian Wells. Zverev recalled how nervous he was during the match and couldn’t control his emotions.

Their penultimate meeting was in the semifinal of the 2022 French Open. During the tense battle, Zverev had torn all three of the lateral ligaments in his right ankle, retired mid-match, and left the court in a wheelchair. And this is why Zverev wanted to avoid facing the 14-time Roland Garros champion in the same tournament in 2024.

Zverev faced Nadal in the first round of the 2024 French Open. It was the fourth tournament he played since returning to the tour in Barcelona after physical setbacks.

Serena [Williams] had been off the circuit for almost four years, while Rafa had only been out of competition for a few months and still maintained a very high level, even though he wasn’t a seeded player. Both of us approached that match with the mindset to win and then try to conquer the tournament.

Alexander Zverev said

Sascha won that match in straight sets to improve his head-to-head record over the 22-time Grand Slam champion to 4-7. It turned out to be the King of Clay’s last match at the French Open.

I didn’t want to face Rafa in the first round. I don’t think anyone wants to play against Rafa in the first round. But I did want to face him again at Roland Garros for what happened in 2022, to put that memory behind and create a new one, whether I won or lost. After the match, I was very happy that we could finally play.

Rafael Nadal added

Zverev, after beating Nadal in the first round, reached the final and lost the title to Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal played two more singles matches in Paris, but at the Olympics. In his last clay-court match, the Spaniard lost to his old foe and eventual champion Novak Djokovic.

Alexander Zverev is confident of having a good run at Wimbledon

Alexander Zverev finally tasted Grand Slam glory in this year’s French Open. In the final, he secured a five-set win over Flavio Cobolli, becoming the first German man since Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open to win a Grand Slam title.

And now, Zverev is confident of having a good run in the grass-court Major. The 29-year-old has never reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, and it’s, in fact, the only Major where Zverev has never progressed to the last eight.

Wimbledon has always been the Grand Slam where I have faced the most difficulties. But this year, I feel different. I believe I have had a very good preparation, and I feel like I’m playing great tennis. I will do everything possible to show it on the court. That’s the only thing I can control. Everything else will come later.

Alexander Zverev told RTL+

Zverev will face Alexander Blockx in the first round. Last year, Zverev suffered an opening-round exit, losing to Arthur Rinderknech.

Before entering SW19, Zverev played the Halle Open, where eventual runner-up Taylor Fritz ended his run in the semifinals. World No.1 Jannik Sinner will be competing as the defending champion and could meet Zverev if they both reach the final.

Zverev, however, could run into Fritz in the quarterfinals. The American ace is on a seven-match winning streak against Zverev.

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