This was the beginning of the end, rather than a finite end itself for Rafael Nadal.
Watched by fellow stars such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, Nadal almost apologetically said he was not sure if his 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 defeat by world No4 Alexander Zverev would be his last at the French Open.
