Nadal Eyes Paris Olympics After French Open Exit

By: Gyang Dakwo

Rafael Nadal may not return for the 2025 French Open after his elimination in this year’s edition, but he still plans to play the Olympics in the city in July.

His record-breaking French Open career came to its likely end on Monday when the 14-time champion slumped to a demoralising first round defeat against Alexander Zverev.

Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3, went down 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to world number four Zverev, suffering only his fourth loss in 116 matches at Roland Garros since his 2005 title-winning debut.

It was the first time he had been defeated in Paris in the opening round and will again lead to questions over his long-term future in the sport.

“It is difficult for me to talk, I don’t know if it’s the last time I’ll be here in front of all of you,“ he said.

“I hope to be back here for the Olympics, that motivates me. I really hope to be well prepared,“ he said to loud cheers.

Plagued by injuries, which had limited him to just four events since January last year, former world number one Nadal is now 275 in the rankings and was unseeded in Paris.

However, he insisted on the eve of the tournament that he was “100% keeping the door open” on his future in a sport which has brought him 22 Grand Slam titles.