Rafael Nadal loses to Alexander Zverev in French Open first round in what is likely his last appearance at the tournament

(CNN) — In what is likely his final appearance at the French Open, 14-time tournament winner and Roland Garros legend Rafael Nadal was knocked out in the first round by No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(7-5) 6-3 in three hours and five minutes.Zverev’s straight sets victory puts an end to one of the greatest love affairs in the history of sport. Nadal, the ‘King of Clay,’ walked off Court Philippe-Chatrier one last time to a thunderous ovation befitting his remarkable record in Paris.Some of tennis’ biggest stars – and Nadal’s rivals – were in attendance to watch this piece of history; Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Świątek, a self-confessed Nadal superfan, were all there to see the Spanish gladiator battle it out one last time in front of an adoring crowd.The post Rafael Nadal loses to Alexander Zverev in French Open first round in what is likely his last appearance at the tournament appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.