French Open: Rafael Nadal feels 'very sorry' for Alexander Zverev

 

French Open 2022

Dates: 22 May-5 June Venue: Roland Garros, Paris

Coverage: Live on Sports So website and app

Spain's Rafael Nadal said moving into a 14th French Open final because opponent Alexander Zverev was injured and taken off court in a wheelchair was "not the way" he wanted to win.

Nadal, seeded fifth, was leading 7-6 (10-8) 6-6 when Germany's Zverev retired after turning on his ankle.

"If you are human, you should feel very sorry for a colleague," Nadal said.

"To see a colleague like this, even if for me it's a dream to be in the final, is not the way that we want it to be."

Nadal in final as Zverev leaves court in wheelchair

Third seed Zverev screamed in pain when he went down on the baseline after turning his right ankle on the final point of the 12th game of the second set.

A concerned Nadal went round to check on his opponent as a medic raced on to the court to help the 25-year-old German.

The seriousness of the situation was immediately clear, with Zverev screaming and signalling for help as he lay on the clay.

Medics quickly arrived and it seemed obvious he would not be able to continue once the wheelchair was called for.

Afterwards, Nadal said it was "not easy" to talk following the incident.

"The only thing that I can say is I hope he's not too bad," added 36-year-old Nadal, who will play Norwegian eighth seed Casper Ruud in Sunday's final.

"Hopefully, it's just the normal thing when you turn your ankle and hopefully nothing is broken."

Writing By Ceo & Co-Founder ZAYAN RAHMAN