John McEnroe criticizes French Open's decision to not seed Rafael Nadal
ATPMonday, 27 May 2024 at 00:30
John
McEnroe criticized the French Open for not seeding Rafael Nadal. According to
the American icon, it makes no sense that the 14-time Roland Garros champion
faces Alexander Zverev in the first round.
The German
arrives in great form after winning his first Masters 1000 in two years at the
Rome Open. Nadal and Zverev will face off on Monday on Court Phillipe Chatrier,
repeating the 2022 semifinals where Zverev left the court in a wheelchair after
an ankle injury.
McEnroe questions French Open's seeding decisions
Seeding
positions are usually determined based on ATP rankings, at least currently in
all Grand Slams. However, a few years ago, Wimbledon had a system for
determining seeds that considered players' long-term performance, particularly
in grass tournaments, so they were not exactly the same as the rankings.
After more
than a year where injuries have prevented him from playing enough, Nadal is
barely ranked No. 275 and it is the first time he plays the main draw of the
French Open without being a seed. In fact, he was always among the top six
seeds.
Luck was
not on Nadal's side as he will play against the world No. 4 in the first round.
McEnroe criticized the situation: “It makes no sense that someone who has won
14 times is not seeded. It is the way the tournament has always acted. For me
it is crazy,” the American told the media, as quoted by Marca.
Rafael Nadal at 2024 Madrid Open.
“It is the
most interesting first round of a Major that I remember and the toughest in the
Open Era for someone like Nadal,” he added. “He has to do whatever he wants. He
loves to compete and if he loses to Zverev it does not mean that all his
records at Roland Garros will be lost. Maybe his time has come to be a father
and everyone’s time has come.”
“Maybe I’m
wrong and he’ll be able to do something special here. It’s a question mark as
to how his body will recover as the rounds go by. On the one hand it will be a
surprise, and on the other it won’t. People like him, Novak, or Roger are
Superman.”
The 7-time
Grand Slam champion also commented that Zverev has good chances to win the
title: “[Zverev] has a real chance of winning in Paris if he focuses solely and
exclusively on tennis and not on other things off the court. I believe that the
2020 US Open should have been his. Sascha’s serve is working better than
ever,” McEnroe added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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