26 May,2024 07:44 AM IST | Paris | AFP
Rafael Nadal. Pic/AFP
Rafael Nadal said on Saturday that he is likely appearing at the French Open for the final time but cautioned it was "not 100 per cent " certain, describing the tournament where he has been champion 14 times as a "magical place".
"It's a big, big chance that this is going to be my last Roland Garros, but if I have to tell you it's 100 per cent my last Roland Garros, sorry, but I will not, because I cannot predict what's going on. I hope you understand. In some ways I don't want to close the door 100 per cent . I am enjoying playing tennis. I am travelling with the family. They are enjoying," he said.
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Nadal, who will celebrate his 38th birthday on June 3, faces World No. 4 Alexander Zverev in the first round in Paris on Monday. Meanwhile, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic admitted he was "worried" about his French Open title defence after falling 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 to 44th-ranked Czech Tomas Machac in the Geneva semi-finals on Friday ahead of Roland Garros where the 24-time Grand Slam champion has won three times.
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"Of course I'm worried. I haven't been playing good at all this year," said Djokovic.
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