Rafael nadal has hinted that he probably won’t retire after this season because of..

From Australia, China and the United States, Rafael Nadal fans descended on a chilly and damp Roland Garros on Monday, hoping to inspire their “superhero” to victory at the French Open.

In the end, however, many were reduced to tears as the 14-time champion slumped to a straight-sets defeat to Alexander Zverev in the first round, likely signalling the end of the 38-year-old’s Grand Slam adventure in Paris.
“Personally, I’m very sad, he’s Rafa, a legend,” Mateo Castro, a 41-year-old French fan, told AFP with tears in his eyes. “It’s hard to see him go.”

Michael Lundell, another Nadal fan who had travelled from Genoa to Paris to watch the match, was also in tears.

You always have to keep the faith in Rafa, he will win,” Hazel, a 28-year-old fan who had flown in from China for a second straight year after being left disappointed when Nadal withdrew in 2023, told AFP.

“The most important thing is that he stays healthy,” she said, as she proudly showed the banners she had made with the colours of Spain, Nadal’s face, and the message “Welcome back my superhero.”

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Before Wednesday, Nadal had only lost three times in 115 matches at the tournament since his title-winning debut as a 19-year-old in 2005.

He said at the weekend that there was a chance this may be his last French Open but insisted he was still keeping the door “100 per cent open” on continuing his career.

You see a lot of ‘Thank you Rafa’ shirts. He’s a monument at this tournament,” said 41-year-old Manolo who has come to Europe from the United States to watch Nadal and then Real Madrid play in the Champions League final in London this Saturday.

He has seen Nadal win at Wimbledon and the US Open as well as Paris but admitted Monday’s clash with world number four Zverev “would be very difficult.”

“I hope he beats Zverev… Rafa is Rafa,” he said.

“It’s possibly the last time he plays here, so we’re very happy to watch him,” said Alsi, a 40-year-old fan living in Australia.