In 2024, Rafael Nadal made his final appearance at Roland Garros.

Known as the King of Clay, that year was his farewell tour on the ATP circuit before retiring after the Davis Cup.

Nadal went into the 2024 tournament having lost just three matches at Roland Garros in his entire career, with 14 titles to his name.

He was ranked 276th in the world at the time but used a protected ranking to enter and drew Alexander Zverev in the opening round.

Nadal lost to Zverev, and tennis legend John McEnroe thought the decision not to have him as a seeded player was ‘crazy’.

McEnroe’s frustration with the French Open seeding decision in 2024

Tennis 365 reported McEnroe as saying: “It makes no sense that someone who has won 14 times is not seeded.”

“It is the way the tournament has always acted. For me it is crazy. It is the most interesting first round of a Major that I remember and the most tough [in the] Open Era for someone like Nadal.

“He has to do whatever he wants. He loves to compete and if he loses to Zverev it does not mean that all his records at Roland Garros will be lost. Maybe his time has come to be a father and everyone’s time has come.

“Maybe I’m wrong and he’ll be able to do something special here. It’s a question mark as to how his body will recover as the rounds go by.

“On the one hand it will be a surprise, and on the other it won’t. People like him, Novak or Roger are Superman.”

Alexander Zverev reflects on victory over Rafael Nadal

Following his win, Zverev said: “It was definitely special. I didn’t know how to act in certain moments, especially at the end of the match.

“Obviously there is, you know, uncertainty whether he’s going to come back and play next year. He’s definitely going to be back for the Olympics. But generally, as just Roland Garros, obviously there is uncertainties.

“I think the improvement he’s made over the past few months and just the difference in level that he’s played today compared to his last tournaments was unbelievable. I really felt like it was a very good match.

“Yeah, I think if he stays healthy, he’s going to continue playing better, and then I think, you know, he’s going to be seeded again and then that makes it easier for him, for sure.”

Zverev later reached the final of Roland Garros 2024, losing out to Carlos Alcaraz in a closely contested five-set battle.

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