Novak Djokovic does not think we have seen the last of Rafael Nadal at the French Open.
The Spaniard returned to grand Slam action for the first time since January 2023 at the tournament he has won on 14 occasions.
He was handed a nightmare draw of facing fourth seed and Italian Open champion Alexander Zverev in round one.
Despite the challenge in his way, the 37-year-old fought hard and played at high level through sets two and three.
Though he suffered a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 defeat, Djokovic was impressed by what he saw from his fellow tennis legend.
Novak Djokovic suspects Rafael Nadal will be back at Roland Garros
Djokovic, his fellow World number and defending French Open champion Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz were part of thousands on court Philippe-Chatrier to catch Nadal in action.
Three of the world’s best players attending a match of one of the sport’s greatest is the ultimate mark of respect.
But after catching some of his match in person, the 24-time Grand Slam champion was encouraged by Nadal’s display and believes he will be back at the clay court major once again.
“I think he played very well. Even though he lost in straight sets, the second and third were really close,” Djokovic told reporters.
“He could have easily won one of those two sets, and maybe the match was going in a different direction. I don’t recall the last time I actually watched a set of any match live on that level, other than Davis Cup matches.”
“It was great. Iga (Swiatek) was there, (Carlos) Alcaraz was there, and we all wanted to get a glimpse of the atmosphere of that possibly unique moment that could be his last. But it doesn’t appear like that.”
Djokovic begins his Roland Garros title defence with a win
24 hours after watching Nadal compete, DJokovic began his French Open title defence with a win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
It was not a dominant performance from the Serbian and at times he lacked sharpness while returning and did not look comfortable at the baseline.
But he was able to raise his game when it mattered to win the big points and ultimately battled to a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 win against the 142nd-ranked wildcard.
“I’m glad I started the way I started, the way I felt on the court,” said Djokovic, who plays Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round.
“Compared to the previous weeks of tournaments I played [recently], I felt good, better. I’m moving in a positive direction.”
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