Rafael Nadal handed nightmare French Open clash with Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic faces Pierre-Hugues Herbert
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Updated 23/05/2024 at 13:48 GMT
Rafael Nadal could barely have asked for a trickier draw to begin his French Open campaign, with the record 14-time winner to face Alexander Zverev in the first round. Novak Djokovic will begin his title defence against French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert, while there is a battle between two unseeded veterans as Andy Murray faces Stan Wawrinka.
Nadal trains with Wawrinka as French Open edges closer
Rafael Nadal has been given a nightmare draw in what could be his final French Open, with the record 14-time champion to face Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev in the first round.
The Spaniard, who is currently ranked 276th in the world, is likely to be playing the Grand Slam for the last time before retiring, but he has ambitions to return to Roland Garros for the Olympics.
Novak Djokovic begins his title defence against French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert, a five-time Grand Slam champion in doubles.
Among the other highlights in the first round, Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner takes on American Christopher Eubanks, who reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon last year, with Carlos Alcaraz beginning against a qualifier or lucky loser, and Daniil Medvedev playing the German Dominik Koepfer.
Seventh seed Casper Ruud, who is aiming to go one better after losing in the last two finals in Paris, opens against Jakub Mensik.
Two greats who regularly competed for major titles face each other when former world No. 1 Andy Murray takes on 2015 winner Stan Wawrinka, a match-up which first took place19 years ago in the Davis Cup. Murray holds a 13-9 win/loss record over the Swiss.
Murray will link up in the doubles with Great Britain Davis Cup team-mate Dan Evans, who has been drawn against 13th seed Holger Rune in his singles clash. Cameron Norrie, who snuck in as the 32nd seed, faces world No. 57 Pavel Kotov from Russia, with Jack Draper yet to find out his opponent as he will meet a qualifier.
Nadal has spoken regularly about his doubts regarding his form, following constant injury lay-offs. But the 'King of Clay' will be hoping the aura he has at Roland Garros can work in his favour, with the majority of the crowd likely to be behind him against three-time semi-finalist Zverev - a match which will almost certainly receive prime billing on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
But should the 37-year-old Spanish great get past the German, he has significant obstacles in the way of a fairytale 15th title.
Nadal could face David Goffin in round two, followed by 26th seed Tallon Griekspoor, before meeting Rune (last-16), Medvedev (QF) and Djokovic before reaching the final.
In contrast, Sinner has relatively kind draw, while Djokovic's first top 10 test could come against either Ruud or Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals - but he cannot face Alcaraz until the decider.
You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.
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