2022 Roland Garros turned into a nightmare for Alexander Zverev. The rising star was locked in a grueling French Open semi-final with the legendary Rafael Nadal when a horrific ankle injury forced him to retire. After almost two years, Zverev has opened up about the emotional toll of that night. In a raw and emotional interview,’ he confesses to still carrying the scars of that fateful match, both physical and mental. Will Zverev be able to overcome the trauma and return to his top form, or will the ghost of Roland Garros continue to haunt him?

This will possibly be the last time Rafael Nadal features at his favorite slam. Having won 14 titles over his career, will Nadal’s body give him the company to grab his 15th title at the Roland Garros later this month? Well, that still remains a big question mark, Nadal last won the title in 2022. It was the same year when Zverev had to face a bitter ending to his remarkable campaign in Paris. Recalling that moment during a pre-tournament press meet ahead of the Italian Open, Zverev said he has mixed feelings surrounding it.

“I have mixed feelings and mixed emotions obviously about that match, about playing him there just simply because it was one of the best tennis matches I’ve ever played in my career. But it was the worst ending I’ve ever had to a tennis match in my career,” said Zverev of playing against Nadal and his worst ending to a match.

Revisiting the history, after beating Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, Alexander Zverev was giving a tough show against Rafael Nadal in that semifinals match. But the thrilling 3-hour 13-minute ‘walkover’ encounter came to a halt at a 7-6,6-6 scoreline. While Nadal took the first set, just when Zverev started to make a comeback into the match, he twisted his right ankle while trying to chase down Nadal’s forehand shot. Owing to which Zverev has to leave Court Philippe-Chatrier in a wheelchair. Later on, it was revealed that Alexander Zverev had torn all three of his lateral ligaments, undergoing surgery, which took him out for the rest of the season.

Describing the moment of facing Rafael Nadal at the French Open, Zverev said the Spaniard became quite different on this surface. “All of a sudden his footwork and foot speed becomes a lot faster,” claimed the German tennis player. Facing Nadal on the court is the ultimate challenge our sport throws your way believes the 27-year-old. “It’s probably the biggest challenge in tennis. It’s the biggest challenge that you can have in our sport, playing Nadal on that court.”

If he had beaten Nadal in that match then he could have become the fourth player to defeat the ‘King of Clay’ at Roland Garros. Currently, Nadal leads the H2H record against Zverev by 7-3. Will the German get a second bite at the cherry at this year’s French Open?

“I would love to play him one more time” – Alexander Zverev on facing Rafael Nadal on yet another bigger stage of the game

Alexander Zverev is desperate to bring back his fortunes in Paris this time around. He wants to face Rafael Nadal in yet another do-or-die clash. Finishing the unfinished business? Well, he has huge admiration for the ‘King’ and he truly appreciates what he has done for the sport over the years. But he just wants a “different ending” this time at the Roland Garros.

“I would love to do it one more time just simply to kind of have a different ending to those memories, right? That’s just something in my mind. I would love to play him one more time, I would love to play him in a final or semifinal, in a big match again. I think that would be great for both of us,” Alexander Zverev.

The 2017 Italian Open champion is all set to step onto the court in just a few days from now. Will the fans get to witness yet another replay of the 2018 Italian Open finals? Perhaps, Rafael Nadal can give the answer more perfectly than Zverev at the moment.