Rafael Nadal's all 4 losses at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal, the undisputed "King of Clay," faced a surprising defeat in the first round of the French Open, succumbing to Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Monday. This unexpected loss marks only the fourth time in his illustrious career that Nadal has been bested at Roland Garros, out of an impressive 116 matches. 

As a 14-time champion at his favourite tournament, each loss is a rare and notable event. This latest defeat could potentially signify the end of an era for Nadal at Roland Garros, raising questions about the future of his remarkable legacy on the iconic clay courts of Paris. So, here are his all four losses at Ronald Garros. 

#4. Rafael Nadal vs Robin Soderling in 2009 by 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6

Rafael Nadal's remarkable winning streak at Roland Garros, which began with his debut victory in 2005, came to a shocking end in 2009. After 31 consecutive wins on the Parisian clay, Nadal faced a stunning fourth-round defeat to Sweden's Robin Söderling, losing 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6. 

This unexpected loss marked Nadal's first-ever defeat at the French Open and remains one of the biggest upsets in tennis history. Söderling's victory over the "King of Clay" was a defining moment, as he eventually reached the finals but fell to Roger Federer.

#3. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic in 2015 by 7-5, 6-3, 6-1

In 2015, Rafael Nadal faced a significant defeat at Roland Garros, losing to Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals with a score of 7-5, 6-3, 6-1. This match marked a rare setback for Nadal, who had been undefeated in 39 consecutive French Open matches, a tournament record for both men and women. 

Djokovic's straight-sets victory was a testament to his exceptional skill, although he later lost the final to Stanislas Wawrinka. This defeat was only Nadal's second at the French Open, highlighting Djokovic's status as one of the few players capable of challenging Nadal's dominance on the clay courts of Paris.

#2. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic in 2021 by 3–6, 6–3, 7–6, 6–2

Rafael Nadal's formidable unbeaten streak at Roland Garros came to an end in the 2021 semi-finals, where he faced Novak Djokovic. After securing a lead with a 6-3 win in the first set, Nadal was overcome by Djokovic, who triumphed 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2. 

This marked the first time Nadal had lost at the French Open after winning the first set, concluding his remarkable run of 35 consecutive victories, the second-longest in the tournament's history. Djokovic's victory propelled him to the final, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas to claim his second French Open title, further solidifying his status as one of the sport's greats.

#1. Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev in 2024 by 6-3, 7-6, 6-3

Rafael Nadal faced a significant defeat at Roland Garros in 2024, losing to No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the first round. This match marks Nadal's fourth and potentially final loss at the French Open. Due to an injury-plagued couple of seasons, Nadal's ranking had plummeted to 275th globally. 

It resulting in him being unseeded at a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2005 Australian Open. The veteran's early exit from his favourite tournament underscores the challenges he has faced recently. It raises questions about the future of his illustrious career on the iconic clay courts of Paris.