Novak Djokovic gives his verdict on Rafael Nadal-Alexander Zverev match-up at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic believes the mouthwatering first-round clash between Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros will be a “total spectacle”.

The 2024 Roland Garros men’s draw has delivered several corker opening match-ups as three-time Grand Slam champions Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka will also meet while sixth seed Casper Ruud faces rising star Jakub Mensik.

But the most-talked about encounter is the Nadal-Zverev clash, which will be a rematch of their 2022 semi-final when the German was unable to complete the match after suffering a horrific ankle injury in the second set.

Zverev missed the remainder of the 2022 season and he was initially slow to regain form when he made his return at the start of the 2023 campaign, but he has hit his peak again in recent weeks as he won the Italian Open last week.

Nadal, meanwhile, has endured an injury nightmare since the beginning of the 2023 season as he played only four matches last year due to a career-threatening hip problem while his record this year is 7-4, having missed several tournaments due to a thigh injury.

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And to add more intrigue to the occasion, this year’s French Open is likely to be Nadal’s final one as he revealed last year that the 2024 season was set to be his last as a professional.

World No 1 Djokovic was asked about the match-up and replied: “Yes, I’ve seen it. Total spectacle. I’m excited to see that match, it’s going to be a very interesting match.

“Zverev comes in great form, [fresh] from winning in Rome. On the Roland Garros court, it’s not the same Rafa we are used to. It’s Roland Garros, so we’ll see what happens.”

Nadal v Zverev

Nadal, of course, is a 14-time champion in Paris with his last triumph coming in 2022. He has a mindboggling record of 112–3 (97%) at Roland Garros with Djokovic and Robin Soderling the only two players to beat him at the tournament.

Zverev, though, has also impressed at the clay-court Grand Slam in recent years as he has made the semi-finals on his last three visits with a win-loss record of 28–8 (78%).

As for their head-to-head record, Nadal leads it 7-3 with his last win coming at Roland Garros in 2022 when Zverev retired during the latter stages of the second set after injuring his ankle.

Six of their 10 encounters have come on clay with Nadal leading 5-1. Zverev’s sole win on the surface was in the quarter-final of the 2021 Madrid Open.

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