Rafael Nadal will play his first round match at the Roland Garros on Monday 27 May on Philippe-Chatrier, in the evening session. At a time that the Spanish champion wouldn’t like. According to what was reported by the French newspaper L’Équipe, Nadal and his team would have asked the Parisian Slam board to play the first round match against Alexander Zverev in a different time than the evening session.
INFO L’ÉQUIPE. Le programme de lundi à Roland-Garros n’est pas encore tombé mais, selon nos informations, le premier tour attendu entre Rafael Nadal et Alexander Zverev aura lieu dans l’après-midi, profitant ainsi au plus grand nombre de téléspectateurs.https://t.co/Iu2inM47CO
— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) May 24, 2024
The request would have been made due to the playing conditions, which could make a difference, in a certain sense. In fact, we all know how Rafa’s tennis is more effective with the sun still in the sky, therefore in a possible morning or afternoon session.
The final decision lies with the organizers themselves, who in a few hours will make a decision and establish with certainty the order of play on Monday. Another aspect to be evaluated will be that of television rights: the expected comparison – based on what was reported by the French newspaper – could be included in the daytime session, also to ensure a greater number of viewers.
In fact, there are quite a few tennis fans waiting to watch the big first round match between Nadal and Zverev. An incredible battle for an inaugural round of a Grand Slam, made possible by the current situation in the rankings of the Spanish champion, who entered the draw thanks to his protected ranking. Rafa could have met anyone from the start of the tournament and fate put the German in front of him, who he faced in the semi-finals in 2022.