Alex Corretja has suggested Rafael Nadal drawing Alexander Zverev in the R128 of Roland Garros as destiny.
The former Spanish star thinks a Nadal win would be much unexpected given his form but stated that he is expecting something special from the first round clash.
Nadal is currently World #276 which suggested that he was due to meet any of the other 127 players in the opening round.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion is most certainly playing his final Roland Garros and couldn’t be given a more difficult opener than this.
Zverev who is peaked on clay just in time ahead of French Open, won his second title at Foro Italico last week and is a 3-time finalist at the French major.
The blockbuster matchup is the rematch of their 2022 Roland Garros last four match where Zverev rolled his ankle to the point of retiring from the match in the second set.
Nadal was leading 7-6(8), 6-6 in the high octane matchup that had already gone past three hours when the German tore ligaments in his ankle and was forced to give walkover to the at that time 13-time champion at French Open. The Spaniard went on to win his 14th Roland Garros by beating Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final and in process also clinching his 22nd major.
Corretja, a 2-time French Open finalist described the brutal draw as destiny for Nadal as he called it absolutely stunning.
“This is absolutely stunning,” the former World No. 2 told Eurosport. “It’s crazy and unbelievable how precious destiny can be. We know what happened last time they played each other at Roland Garros.
“Now Zverev is probably the guy who is in the best shape on the men’s tour right now and is probably one of the favorites to win the tournament. Facing Rafa, it’s unbelievable, the attention of the whole world will be on this.
“Even if it’s still one of the toughest opponents Rafa can face in the first round, he can just relieve this pressure straight away,” assessed Corretja.
“He doesn’t need to think about his performance or shape beforehand. Whoever he drew was going to be a tough match in a best-of-five with all the attention on him right.
He added: “If he wins, it’s unbelievable. If not, it’s just normal as Zverev is in great shape as I said. It’s huge attention for the tournament.
“For Sascha [Zverev], winning in Rome and then being one of the main favorites for the tournament, and having to face Rafa in round one is incredible.
“Whoever wins has to be one of the main favorites. Sascha has been practicing so hard in the past few years, both physically and emotionally. And he will have to play exceptionally well.
“It doesn’t matter if Rafa wins, but if he does, it’s huge. It would be very unexpected based on form but nothing he does can surprise us considering how much success he has had here.
“For Rafa, it’ll be tough to play any opponent. The fact he needs to give 100% from round one is so different for him. He will give everything he possibly has. I’m expecting something very, very special.”