“We all wanted to get a glimpse of the atmosphere, of that possibly unique moment, that could be Rafa’s last” – Djokovic

The Serb feels his long-time rival was playing at a much higher level than in Rome or Barcelona

Novak Djokovic in the stands to watch the first round match between Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev Image Credit: Jean-Francois Badias/AP/SIPA

Haresh Ramchandani

May 29, 2024

If one took a look around at the famous faces in the stands on Court Philippe Chatrier when 14-time champion Rafael Nadal took on fourth seed Alexander Zverev on Monday, one would be forgiven to think that a Grand Slam final was underway.

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, some of the title favourites in Paris this fortnight, were in attendance for what was actually a first round match between Nadal and Zverev. It’s not common for so many top players to take time out of their regimented schedules this early in an event but such was the hype built around the match – which could have been – and could still be – Nadal’s last match at Roland-Garros.

Djokovic, who won his third French Open ttile last year in the absence of Nadal, explained why he was in the stands when he spoke to the media after his first round win on Tuesday.

“It was great to watch. I don’t recall last time I actually watched a set of any match live on that level, other than Davis Cup matches,” the Serb said. “I saw, Iga was there, Alcaraz was there, and we all wanted to get, I guess, a glimpse of the atmosphere of that possibly unique moment, that could be his last. But it doesn’t appear like that.”

“Nadal could have easily won one of those two sets, and maybe the match was going in a different direction” – Djokovic

Djokovic added that he was impressed with the level Nadal displayed and that the Spaniard could easily have won the second or third sets, which could have changed the course of the match.

“I think he played very well comparing to what we saw from his performance in Rome and Barcelona, I think he played really on a much higher level. Even though he lost in the straight sets, second and third were really close. He could have easily won one of those two sets, and maybe the match was going in a different direction,” Djokovic said. “But he was a bit unlucky with the draw, because Zverev, he is in a great form, winning Rome, and he was serving extremely well. It’s tough to play Sascha when he’s feeling the ball so well.”

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