'Rafa is not going to be around forever' - Tim Henman hopes Rafael Nadal can enjoy 'great' last dance at French Open
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 26/05/2024 at 23:00 GMT
Tim Henman is hopeful that Rafael Nadal can have one last great run at Roland-Garros before retiring. The Spaniard faces a tough test in the first round of the French Open against Germany's Alexander Zverev. The former world No. 1 has won 14 French Open titles during his iconic career, with his first coming in 2005 and his most recent coming in 2022 against two-time finalist Casper Ruud.
'He's not going to be around forever' - Henman hopes Nadal can have 'one last great run'
Tim Henman hopes French Open legend Rafael Nadal can enjoy "one last great run" at Roland-Garros before retiring.
The former world No. 1 boasts a truly remarkable record at the event, having won 112 matches while losing just three since his debut in 2005.
This could be Nadal's final appearance at the Grand Slam, with the Spaniard set to face Germany's Alexander Zverev in the first round.
The 14-time French Open winner last lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires in 2022, beating two-time finalist Casper Ruud 6–3 6–3 6–0.
"We know Rafa is not going to be around forever but it would be great if he could just have one great last run," said Henman on Eurosport.
"It is such a tough first-round match but there is a lot for us to look forward to.
"The achievements are led by 14 Roland-Garros titles, but it is the way he goes about his business.
"He is so humble, he treats people so well away from the court.
"He has got great values, he has got a great work ethic and that is why I think we as sports fans have got to enjoy this moment."
Nadal won his first French Open title on his debut appearance at Roland-Garros in 2005, beating Argentina's Mariano Puerta 6–7(6–8) 6–3 6–1, 7–5.
His winning percentage of 97.39% at the event is unmatched by any other male singles player at any Grand Slam.
Only two players have beaten Nadal at the French Open.
Robin Soderling stunned the Spaniard during the fourth round in 2009, clearing the way for Roger Federer to win the event for the first and only time in his career.
The second defeat came at the hands of Novak Djokovic at the quarter-final stage in 2015, and he was forced to withdraw before a third-round tie against Marcel Granollers in 2016.
- - -
You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement