Exclusive: Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev clash at French Open will be ‘explosive’ – Boris Becker
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Published 24/05/2024 at 14:17 GMT
The French Open first-round encounter between Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev is set to be "highly emotional" and "explosive", according to Eurosport expert Boris Becker. Nadal is set to play at Roland-Garros for the last time in his career after winning the Grand Slam a record 14 times, but must overcome fourth seed Zverev in his first match at the tournament.
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Eurosport expert Boris Becker has predicted an “explosive” match between Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev at the French Open.
Becker revealed he was in disbelief when he realised such a heavyweight encounter would take place in the first round at Roland-Garros, live on discovery+ on Sunday.
“In the beginning, I didn't believe it and thought that someone had made a mistake,” he said. “Only then did I realise that Nadal wasn't seeded this year. So it was logical.
“But at first I actually thought that they were both seeded - because you're just used to Rafa being seeded first or second in Paris.”
Nadal has plummeted down the ATP rankings after struggling with his fitness and form, leading to a first round match against fourth seed Zverev.
It is widely believed that it will be Nadal’s last appearance at Roland Garros as retirement looms.
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The 37-year-old last played Zverev at the 2022 French Open, with his opponent forced to retire from their semi-final match with an ankle injury. Nadal went on to win the Grand Slam for a record 14th time.
“I think the match is a chance for Sascha [Zverev] to pick up where he left off with his injury in 2022,” Becker said. “Sure, he's competing against the 14-time Roland Garros champion, but Nadal is no longer the same as he was two years ago.
“Sascha, on the other hand, heralded his comeback with the semi-final in Paris last season and has been playing like someone who belongs in the top five ever since. Now he has the opportunity to climb even higher with a successful French Open.
“He was stopped on this path in the match against Nadal. I'm not talking about revenge now, because the injury wasn't Nadal's fault. But: Sascha was the number two in the world at the time and looked very good in that match.
“All the experts agree that two years ago he was probably the best Sascha Zverev we've ever seen. Now he has the chance to continue that.”
Becker predicted that Nadal would be backed by the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, describing the Spaniard as the “king of Paris”.
“The fans will be behind him, but that doesn't mean they're against Sascha,” he said. “He also has sympathy on his side. But of course, if you play against Nadal on Philippe-Chatrier, you can assume that the majority will be on his side.
“Sascha can't change that, but can only respond with a good performance - and ultimately with victory. It will be a highly emotional, explosive match that the entire tennis world will be watching live.”
Zverev will be keen to win the first Grand Slam title of his career and may benefit from recent injury issues for fellow top seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
While reigning champion Novak Djokovic will also be a favourite, Becker has suggested there could be a surprise winner of this year’s tournament.
“Normally, I would bet on the previous year's winner - that would be Novak Djokovic - or, based on history, always on Nadal,” he explained. “But history is in the past.
“You have to look at where the players were this year and who won the big clay court tournaments. That's Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Zverev - and not Djokovic and Nadal. Those are the facts.
“What's more, Alcaraz and Sinner are going into the tournament with injury worries and you can't hide the fact that you have a slight injury on clay.
“The second week at the latest will show how fit they still are. That's why there might be a surprise winner this year.”
You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.
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