Updated On: 26 May, 2024 06:52 PM IST | Paris | mid-day online correspondent
The 14-time Roland Garros champion has only played four tournaments since January 2023 due to injuries but holds a 7-3 winning record over Zverev

Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev (Pic: AFP)
Rafael Nadal faces Alexander Zverev on Monday as he opens what is likely to be his final French Open campaign with a tough assignment against the world number four. The 14-time Roland Garros champion has only played four tournaments since January 2023 due to injuries but holds a 7-3 winning record over Zverev. Mid-Day takes a look at five previous meetings between Nadal and Zverev ahead of their French Open encounter:
2016 Indian Wells last 16 Nadal 6-7 (8/10), 6-0 7-5 -- A teenage Zverev enjoyed a breakthrough tournament at Indian Wells, knocking out seeds Grigor Dimitrov and Gilles Simon to reach the fourth round of a Masters event for the first time. The German made a mark in his maiden match against Nadal, saving two set points before taking the first set in a tie-break. Nadal fought back to force a decider, but Zverev created the chance to serve for victory when leading 5-3, only to miss a match point and lose five straight games as he tumbled to defeat.