Alexander Zverev reached his second Grand Slam final in 2024, as he returned to his career-high ranking of second in the world.
It was another excellent year on the ATP Tour for the world number two, who reminded the tennis world of just how good he can be.
Zverev won two Masters 1000 titles in 2024, as he took his tally to seven, a number only topped by Novak Djokovic amongst active ATP players.
As is so often the case, the German looked strong on clay, as Zverev won the Italian Open, his second title in Rome, having won for the first time in 2017.
Zverev then won the Paris Masters to finish the year off in style, ending the year as world number two for the first time in his career.
The highlight of his season came at Roland Garros, however, when Zverev reached the final of the French Open, losing to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets.
A thrilling match, but Zverev now looks back on his opening round match at the tournament, which was his most ‘special’ of 2024.
Alexander Zverev on the ‘special’ atmosphere before his match with Rafael Nadal at the French Open
Speaking on the A BIS Z podcast, Zverev looked back upon his match with Rafael Nadal in the first round of this year’s French Open.
He spoke at length about what happened pre-match that ramped up the atmosphere on Philippe-Chatrier.
“For me, it was just when the announcer started going through his highlights,” said Zverev.
“Roland Garros champion in 2004, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 etc’.
“With every one the crowd was getting louder and louder.”
The German now thinks that the atmosphere was even louder than their previous encounter at Roland Garros.
“For me, I was like I will never experience this on court again and the atmosphere was more special than our semi-final match, which is crazy,” he said.
“[Playing Rafael] Nadal was probably the most special match [of the year].
“This is the one which will stay in the memory for me.”
In the 14-time French Open champion’s final-ever match at the tournament, he lost 3-6, 6-7, 3-6 to Zverev.
It was uncertain at the time whether Nadal would play again in 2025, but he still gave a heart-warming speech to the adoring Parisian crowd.
He did return to Roland Garros later that year for the Olympic Games, where again a tough draw worked against him, as he lost to rival Novak Djokovic in the second round.
The doubles tournament saw more success, however, as Nadal and Alcaraz teamed up to reach the quarter-finals, losing out to American doubles specialists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
What happened the first time Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev played at the French Open?
Zverev’s victory over Nadal at this year’s French Open wasn’t the first time the pair faced off in Paris, as their first encounter had some pretty dramatic consequences for the 27-year-old.
The 2022 semi-final match between Zverev and Nadal started in thrilling fashion with a first set that was won by the Spaniard in 91 minutes.
Things didn’t let up as the second set was just as good before Zverev screamed out in pain as he tore three ligaments in his ankle, on the point that sent them into a tiebreaker.
Understandably the German couldn’t continue, as Nadal secured his place in the final after what is widely considered to be one of the greatest unfinished tennis matches in the history of the sport.
Zverev underwent surgery following the French Open, missing the remainder of the 2022 season, before returning in the new year for the United Cup.
He won two titles in 2023, as he built up momentum following his injury lay-off before bouncing back with a big year in 2024.
The 27-year-old will hope to do even better in 2025 and pick up a first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open which begins on January 12.
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