PARIS- On Friday 3rd June, Rafael Nadal advanced to his 14th Roland Garros final over his opponent Alexander Zverev, who had to retire due to an injury.
After more than 3 hours into the match at 7-6 (10/8), 6-6, the German number 3 seed twisted his right ankle after chasing a forehand shot. After screaming out in pain and laying on his back with dirt covering his black outfit, an anguished Zverev with help from the medics was taken out on a wheelchair with Nadal by his side. Several minutes later he came out on crutches waving at an applauding Paris crowd and declared his retirement from the match.
With Zverev winning the first two games and a tight battle between both the players, Nadal won the first set by 7-6 (10/8). The second set came with an unbelievable rally of shots, with the Semi-final match ending in the second set 6-6.
In his post-match interview, Nadal said,“Only thing that I can say is I hope he’s not too bad. Hopefully, it’s just the normal thing when you turn your ankle, and hopefully, nothing’s broken.”
Being himself in the similar position of retirement from a semi-final match in a grand slam and suffering from a chronic condition Mueller-Weiss Syndrome affecting his left foot, Nadal knows and understands the feeling all too well.
With Nadal chasing his record-extending 22nd grand slam title and 14th French open win, he will face the 23-year-old Norwegian player, Casper Rudd on Sunday in the final.
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