“In the end, things change,” Paul McNamee sends ‘stark reminder’ after Rafael Nadal crashes out of Roland Garros first round

McNamee also thanked Nadal for pulling off incredible feats on the Parisian courts in his career.

“In the end, things change,” Paul McNamee sends ‘stark reminder’ after Rafael Nadal crashes out of Roland Garros first round

Rafael Nadal, Paul McNamee (Images via Imago, Wikipedia)

Rafael Nadal‘s first-round defeat to Alexander Zverev sent a stark reminder that nothing is constant, according to former doubles World No.1 Paul McNamee. Beating Nadal a few years ago on his favorite surface was nearly impossible, but Zverev was able to achieve the rare feat in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(7-5), 6-3 inside the Philippe-Chatrier court on Monday (May 27th).

Doing so, Zverev joined the list which has names like Robin Soderling and Novak Djokovic, who beat Nadal in Paris. After Nadal’s possible final match in the French Open, McNamee thanked him for pulling off incredible feats on the Parisian courts in his career.

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It’s a sobering moment as Nadal bows out 1st round… tough draw of course, but it’s a stark reminder that, in the end, things change, even if we wish it were not so. Thank you Rafa. Vamos.
Paul McNamee wrote on X 

It was also the fourth time Nadal dealt with a defeat in the tournament and now holds a 112-4 record.  His first defeat came in 2009 to Soderling, while the next two losses came at the hands of Djokovic in 2015 and 2021. 

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Rafael Nadal enjoyed playing against Alexander Zverev despite the defeat

A lot of focus was on Rafael Nadal in the build-up to Roland Garros and when the Spaniard took center stage, many wanted him to move forward. However, Nadal was far from the best, but he admitted that the match was better than those he played in the previous tournaments. 

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev (Image via Imago)
I don't know if it's going to be the last time that I'm going to be here in front of all of you, honestly. I am not 100 percent sure, but if it's the last time, I enjoyed it. 
Rafael Nadal said after the match 

Physical problems will be the reason behind Nadal’s retirement. Soon he will be 38 so keeping injuries at bay will be more difficult for him if he plans to play next season. 

Because Nadal was unsure of his future, he asked the tournament organizers to cancel the farewell ceremony. Also, his match against Alexander Zverev may not turn out to be his last one at Roland Garros as he is hoping to participate in the Paris Olympics. 

Nadal last won a Grand Slam in the 2022 French Open by beating Casper Ruud. He then went on to miss almost an entire 2023 due to injury.

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