The singles draw for the second Grand Slam event of the season, Roland Garros, has been announced. The tournament will take place in Paris from May 26 to June 9.
Fourteen-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal faces a blockbuster opener against world No 4 Alexander Zverev, who won last week’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia on clay in Rome. Rafa’s match against Zverev is a rematch of their 2022 semi-final that ended when the German tore ligaments in his right ankle.
The winner will face former World No. 7 David Goffin or French wild card Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the second round. Two-time quarter-finalist Holger Rune is a potential fourth-round opponent for our champ.
Rafa’s potential route to the final:
- 1st round: Alexander Zverev
- 2nd round: David Goffin
- 3rd round: Tallon Griekspoor
- Last 16: Holger Rune or Karen Khachanov
- Quarter-final: Daniil Medvedev
- Semi-final: Novak Djokovic
- Final: Jannik Sinner
What are your thoughts on Rafa’s first-round match against Alex? Do you have any additional thoughts on the draw?
All the best of luck in the world to you, Rafa! VAMOS!
I am really looking forward to watching Rafa’s match against Zverev on Monday. Rafa is inspired by the venue, the huge fan support, and playing so much better this week in practice. He admitted he is able to run and move a lot better this week. I sense a resurgence in Rafa’s career and Rafa getting back to where he belongs…at the top of his game. Vamos Rafa! Incredible experience at Roland Garros awaits!
FO cancelled the farewell ceremony as per Rafa’s request.. I think he is gaining confidence in terms of physical ability.. and may continue to the tour depends how it goes for the next few months.
The last two players that Zverev beat to win Rome are not doing so well in R1 of Roland Garros today. Tabilo (who took a set off Zverev 6-1 and beat Novak Djokovic in Rome) is losing to Bergs, who Rafa beat in R1 of Rome. Jarry (who lost the final to Zverev) is losing to Moutet. So, Zverev may have won Rome but hasn’t quite played the highest quality of players. If Rafa plays his best tennis without limitations, then Rafa has a great chance to win the match against Zverev in R1 of Roland Garros. I firmly believe Rafa can put it together and make it happen!
Good point. Zizou Bergs just beat Tabilo in Round 1 of Roland garros. So I would not put too much emphasis into zverev winning Rome (winning against Jarry and tabilo in the finals and semifinals of rome) as any indication of him being a very tough outing for Rafa. Prior to winning rome, zverev did not win any significant matches during the clay season. In other words Zverev had a bad clay season before Rome. Logical to think that Rafa has a great shot to win Monday against Zverev.
I just saw the live scores and moutet took the first two sets over Jarry 6-2 6-1 (who reached the final in rome and lost to zverev at Rome). Zverev’s recent title in Rome means little on his ability to win against Rafa at Roland garros. So my take is the media has been hyping zverev’s chances against rafa. Rafa is confident and feeling good about his chances on Monday after many hours of practice at Roland garros this week. I believe Rafa can play well and do great things to put himself in a position to win the match against Zverev.
Yes, it is looking like winning Rome or doing well in Rome is a curse this year on the men’s side for the men playing at Roland garros. Don’t forget that zverev won rome in 2017 and then went on to lose in the first round of Roland garros to verdasco (Rafa’s countryman). Lightning can strike twice, and it would not surprise me if zverev loses to Rafa on Monday at Roland garros!
Winning Rome for Zverev means nothing at Roland Garros. Moutet beat Jarry today. Bergs defeated Tabilo at Roland Garros. Jarry was finalist in Rome and Tabilo was semi finalist in Rome.
Rafa, we believe you can and will beat Zverev Monday at Roland Garros!
The planned ceremony for Rafa at RG this year has been cancelled at Rafa’s own request. This is because, according to him, he’s left the door open in case he returns in 2025. Intruiging!
This news made my heart leap for joy – ha! I would love to think that Rafa will play beyond this year (guess we will see). But I also think that Rafa’s comments mean that he is feeling good about his game at the moment, which is fantastic. Also I remember Uncle Toni saying earlier this year that if Rafa becomes competitive again he thought he would play beyond this year. If anyone can do a miracle come-back, it’s Rafa – we’ve seen him do it numerous times before! Can’t wait to watch him tomorrow!!
I believe Rafa is ready for the challenge of Zverev on Monday (3rd on Philippe Chatrier Court during the day). Rafa is upbeat and likes his chances to find the magic again on the most important tennis venue of his career. The entire stadium and all of us will cheer him on. Good luck, Rafa!
You are right Fanny! Rafa will come out firing from the get-go. Vamos Rafa!!!
Rafa, I wish you all the very est for your match tomorrow. May you and all parts of you talent and prowess come together perfectly and take you to a win! 💪👍🏼🍀🍀🤞🍀😘❤️🤗
It will be interesting to see the players step on court tomorrow. Rafa being the lower ranked of the two should enter first. Marc Maury will make his usual announcement listing all the years Rafa has won and the roar of the crowd will build to a crescendo. To have Z follow that will be totally anticlimactic. Not that I feel the least bit sorry for him but it will seem strange. I believe that Rafa will win this match. Vamos Campeón.💪
It will take over a minute for the 14 titles and years to be announced when Rafa takes the court Monday against zverev at Roland garros. That will make zverev so nervous. Rafa can and will win Monday against zverev!
I will be glued to the match Monday watching Rafa play his best tennis against Zverev so far this year. Best of luck and health, Rafa!
Rafa will fight for the win on Monday against Zverev. Now is the time to play at his maximum with no physical limitations. Vamos Rafa!
Rafa’s press conference today was so good and encouraging. He was relaxed, philosophical about the draw, especially his first round meeting with Zverev, and said that he was moving better. It was also great to see him smiling and injecting some humour into his answers. Only positive vibes!
Good luck on Monday Rafa ❤️
We wish we were at Roland Garros with you, Rafa! We are excited for you as it is your
most meaningful tournament. I want to hear that roaring, deafening cheer when you enter
the stadium. You have taught us so much about living your best life, and finding a purpose
that brings you a sense of satisfaction and bliss. We know you are savouring these moments wth your family, especially baby Rafa🙏🎾🍀❤️toujours
It is encouraging to observe that Rafa is practicing well, moving well on either sides without physical limitations and improving fast with each passing day. Although Zverev has had an exceptionally good run recently at ATP1000 in Rome, he is generally prone to wilt under pressure especially in the best-of-five sets matches in grand slams. During clutch moments, Zverev is likely to falter with unforced errors and double-faults. He is also generally not able to sustain high level tennis consistently in long grand slam matches. That’s exactly the reason why Zverev is a bigger threat in the best-of-three sets matches, but not so in grand slams.
Zverev is also a player who depends heavily on his booming serve. If he is not on a song and serving well enough, he is more than likely to lose against top players.
On Monday, if Rafa is able to blunt his serve and even plays at 90% of his own abilities, Zverev does not have the game and sustainable consistency to beat Rafa in RG. I would expect Zverev to serve at least 7 double-faults and more than 40 unforced errors in a losing cause. Let’s see.
All the very best for your match with Alexander xx
Wow, so many nice words from top players at Roland Garros on media day today on Rafa. Obviously Rafa is tennis royalty and a living legend.
Iga Swiatek: of course I’ll root for Rafa against Alex Zverev.
Jannik Sinner: I’m lucky I still get to see Rafa around. I learn so much from him.
Carlos Alcaraz: Of course I don’t want to play Rafa here in first round. Phew, it was 50/50 and I lucked out.
Alexander Zverev: It’s a tough draw for me to play Rafa in 1st round. I expect peak Rafa. I’d rather play him in a later round.
Daniel Medvedev: I played Rafa in practice sets and he beat me. Rafa is Rafa. He has won here 14 times.
Stan Wawrinka: Rafa is still very strong. If not for his injuries, he’d be at his best.
According to Daniil medvedev who just lost to Rafa in practice sets at Roland Garros, he is so glad he is not playing Rafa in round 1. He says Rafa looked great. The irony is medvedev just dropped from 4th seed to 5th seed after rome…otherwise medvedev would have played Rafa in round 1 of Roland Garros (instead of Zverev who just bumped into 4th in the rankings after winning rome).
According to Jose Morgado Rafa is scheduled to play Monday and for those who were wondering Djokovic is not so he will play Tuesday. If he shows up that is as he seems sick in Geneva today.
Rafa, get it done and win on Monday! You deserve to have the best conditions that suit your game in front of a huge crowd of supporters (literally 99.99999% of all attendees in court Philippe chatrier). You were dealt a difficult first round but not something you can’t overcome. The world will be watching and cheering you on! 💪👍
Playing Monday during the day will be good for Rafa. If Rafa wins, he will get two days off to get ready for round 2. Vamos and good luck, Rafa!
At this very moment, Nadal is capable of beating anyone in FO. And everyone in FO is capable of beating Nadal. This is not the law of science. It’s a fact of injuries. This fact will overrule any law.
I don’t think any player has ever faced as tough a line up of potential opponents as the one facing both Rafa and Zverev, except one that would include Roger.
Rafa has faced far more difficult Roland Garros draws in the past. He had wins over Roger Federer and Novak djokovic in the same event a few times. Not only that he defeated thiem, del Potro, and Murray in the same Roland Garros as well. Rafa is king of Roland Garros! Never will we see someone as dominant as Rafa ever again. Even Roger Federer and Novak djokovic tip their hat to Rafa!💯🏆👍👏🎉