Tennis world shattered over the French Open moment
Although the result does not show it, 6-2, 6-2 and 6-2 against the Australian Jordan Thompson, Rafa Nadal’s debut at Roland-Garros 2022 did not leave the Spaniard satisfied, who, a perfectionist, assured that he has to improve . “I have to look for continuity and that means concentration and sacrifice,” said Nadal shortly after taking the first step on the road to his fourteenth title in Paris.
"Stop!"
Catch the camera 😂#RolandGarros | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/Y1hkWJZIRU
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 23, 2022
Two-time finalist Dominic Thiem has crashed out of the French Open in the first round, continuing the Austrian star’s struggles since his return from injury.
A former US Open champion, Thiem lost in straight sets to Bolivian World No.87 Hugo Dellien on the opening day at Roland Garros.
Poor Dominic thiem he is having a terrible time he really looks finished so sad. Players who win uso as their first Slam always struggle cursed Slam😡 https://t.co/TCy1PPFBYo
— Swaminathan Suresh (@SwaminathanSur4) May 22, 2022
Thiem capitulated 6-3 6-2 6-4 in just over two hours.
The Austrian, who has failed to win a match at any of the tournaments he has played since his return from a wrist injury in March, made 42 unforced errors as his once-dominant clay-court game deserted him on Sunday.
“It was not a good match at all but it is what it is,” Thiem, ranked third in the world in 2021 compared to his current 194th, said.
Dominic Thiem, a Grand Slam champ and once the second best player on clay, is now 0-7 since coming back in 2022 from a wrist injury
Tough to see and underscores just how competitive the tour is#getty pic.twitter.com/vD4NpXkx6b
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) May 22, 2022
One day soon, Dominic Thiem will win a match and the tennis world will be that much brighter because of it.
— Scott Barclay (@BarclayCard18) May 22, 2022
“I knew it would take time and the level is extremely high.
“It is going to take a few more months until I say now I am ready to beat those guys again.”
The 28-year-old struggled with his forehand throughout the match and said it was now time to compete in lower-tier tournaments to get some match wins under his belt.
Elsewhere, Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz steamrolled past Argentine lucky loser Juan Ignacio Londero 6-4 6-2 6-0.
Alcaraz, who won the Barcelona Open and Madrid Masters in the lead-up to Roland Garros, needed just one set to adjust to the immense Court Philippe Chatrier to set up a meeting with fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
The 19-year-old sixth seed, who reached the third round as a qualifier last year in Paris, has won four titles this year and arrived at the French Open established as one of the title favourites.
“This tournament is very special, I’ve been watching it since I was a kid,” he said.
