Novak Djokovic Says Rafael Nadal 'Was Unlucky' At French Open

TOPSHOT - Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts after losing his men's singles match against Germany's ... [+] Alexander Zverev on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day two of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on May 27, 2024. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic was at Court Philippe-Chatrier on Monday when Rafael Nadal lost his first match at Roland Garros to Alexander Zverev after compiling an 18-0 record in first-round matches.

The 37-year-old world No. 1 was joined by Carlos Alcaraz and women’s world No. 1. Iga Swiatek.

“It was great,” Djokovic said Tuesday after winning his first-round match over Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3, on Chatrier. “I saw, you know, Iga was there, Alcaraz was there. We all wanted to get a glimpse of the atmosphere, of that possibly unique moment, you know, that could be his last.

“But it doesn't appear like that,” he added.

Djokovic, who has won 30 of his 59 encounters against Nadal, said the Spanish legend faced an “unlucky” draw in world No. 4 Zverev.

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 28: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning match point against ... [+] Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France in the Men's Singles first round match on Day Three of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Goode/Getty Images)

“Even though he lost in straight sets, second and third were really close,” said Djokovic, who has won the French Open three times and is seeking a 25th major title this year. “He could have easily won one of those two sets, and maybe the match was going in a different direction.

“But he was a bit unlucky with the draw, because Zverev is in great form, winning Rome, and he was serving extremely well. It's tough to play Sascha when he's feeling the ball so well.”

Nadal, who won 14 of his 22 majors at Roland Garros, said he’s not 100% certain whether this was his last appearance at the tournament, and said he’s focused on the upcoming Olympics at the same site.

Djokovic, the second betting favorite behind Alcaraz, will next face Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round.

Djokovic has yet to make a tournament final this year, and needs to make the final at Roland Garros to prevent world No. 2 Jannik Sinner from supplanting him as world No. 1.

Other winners Tuesday included the man Djokovic beat in last year’s final, No. 7 Casper Ruud, and past major champions Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

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