Some of the greats of the game are in attendance for what could be Rafael Nadal’s final match at Roland Garros on Monday in Paris. As the Spaniard takes on Alexander Zverev in the opening round, the marquee matchup is being taken in by Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek.
Defending champions Djokovic and Swiatek both arrived at Roland Garros as World No. 1, with Alcaraz at No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings. But there’s no doubt that Nadal is the No. 1 attraction in the opening stages of the clay-court Grand Slam this year
A 14-time champion at the event, Nadal said there is a ‘big, big chance’ this will be his farewell appearance at the tournament he has owned throughout his career — though he would not rule out the possibility of a return. In case he does not compete again on the Paris clay, his peers wanted to be sure to enjoy one final glimpse of ‘Rafa at Roland Garros’.
Alcaraz opened his campaign on Sunday with a straight-sets win against J.J. Wolf, while Swiatek beat France’s Leolia Jeanjean on Court Philippe Chatrier just before Nadal and Zverev took the court.
Djokovic will play his first-round match on Tuesday against Pierre-Hugues Herbert when he will bid to match Swiatek’s strong start to her title defense.
