The match was over. Rafael Nadal had reached the final of the French Open for a 14th time record. But there were no celebrations. Not because this was Christmas winning Tennis on clay. All eyes, including the 21-time Grand Slam winner, were on Alexander Zverev.
After more than three hours of play, the 25-year-old was forced to leave the track crying in a wheelchair after turning his ankle.
The US Open 2020 individual runner-up was behind 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 when horror took over Philippe Chatrier’s court at the Roland Garros Stadium. The fall was so bad that the stations decided not to repeat it.
As one of the spectators on the site shared on his Twitter account, when the replay was played on the giant screen, there was a joint look of horror on everyone’s face.
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They showed the replay on the giant screen. And everyone has a horrible look on their face.
– Vipul (@Sporty_Baba) June 3, 2022
The 15,000 attendees (approximately) were clearly upset by the decision of the stadium’s technical team. It was so hard to even take those pictures. To be Zverev, then, cannot be understood.
Playing in his fifth individual Grand Slam semifinal, second at Roland Garros, the German international had stretched his majesty from the clay court to his best level. Making the 36-year-old achieve his best supernatural results. Slide backwards past the marks on the right and then run to the far left for a right point. A 44-shot rally that seemed to last forever.
Both Nadal and Zverev had reached the match after four sets of quarter-finals, beating Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz respectively. More than three hours of tennis and the amount of NOS left with the two would have been the envy of a franchise called Fast (sometimes Furious). Zverev’s injury, however, had taken everyone away from tennis. Even Christmas.
From being by his side while the doctors were helping him get off the track to accompanying him to the room inside while he was getting help, to being back with him on the track, Rafa did not let his competitor see him. during his most difficult minutes.
Rafa comforting Sasha
“Nadal also went up to make Zverev’s bag a moment ago.” – Courier (SF / RG22) pic.twitter.com/y4mChmtydS
– just Rafa (@just_Rafa__) June 3, 2022
“I was there in the small room with Sascha and watching him cry like that, I wish him all the best,” he said later.
“I know how much he is struggling to win a Grand Slam. At the moment, he was very unlucky. I’m sure he won’t win one, but much more than one. “
The number 14 is well in sight, but even if Nadal does it again, he is very unlikely to receive a standing ovation like the one he and Alexander Zverev received last night.