Rafael Nadal reached his 14th French Open final on Friday after Alexander Zverev was forced to quit their semi-final after suffering a horror right ankle injury.
⚔️ A thrilling battle came to a tough end with an injury to @AlexZverev but he and @RafaelNadal played some amazing points!
Check out the Highlights by @emirates 🎥#RolandGarros | #EmiratesFlyBetterMoment pic.twitter.com/E9vn2iRF1v
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2022
Rafael Nadal celebrates his 36th birthday by reaching another RG final, but not in the way he was hoping to get there.
😢#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Ih8kfNXLrs
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2022
It was the outcome he wanted, but 13-time champion Rafael Nadal’s road to another Roland-Garros final took an unexpected detour on Friday afternoon.
Nadal was celebrating his 36th birthday and looking for another signature win on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
After three hours, he was locked in an absorbing semi-final contest with Alexander Zverev that was heading into its second tiebreak.
But Zverev was unable to continue after badly rolling his ankle running after a forehand at 7-6(8), 6-6.
Nadal raced to his opponent’s side of the baseline right away, and the German was eventually helped off the court in a wheelchair.
👏#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/92f8AhegIQ
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2022
Nadal, whose own storied career has been plagued by both chronic and acute injuries, commiserated with the 25-year-old and wished him a speedy recovery.
“It’s not easy and beautiful to talk after what happened,” said Nadal, who was by Zverev’s behind the scenes as the German was getting scans done to invesitage the extent of his injury.
“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.”
"It's a very tough moment"#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/KpCQJqigEI
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2022
Rafael Nadal, chasing a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title, will play against Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final.
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French Open Rafael Nadal Alexander Zverev Tennis Kolkata
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