Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri praise Rafael Nadal for selfless gesture towards injured Alexander Zverev

The much-awaited semi-finals of the French Open between Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev ended on a disappointing note when the latter suffered a terrible ankle injury during the 12th game of the second set. Zverev had to be taken out of the court on a wheelchair as the game paused for a while before he returned to shake hands with Nadal and walked off the Court Philippe Chatrier on Friday evening.

Zverev put up a brilliant fight in the first set but lost the game in the first set tiebreaker as Nadal overpowered him. The second set witnessed the two players display a classic performance as they landed in yet another tiebreaker after ending at 6-6. Three hours and 13 minutes into the game, Zverev tried reaching for the backhand and rolled his ankle in the process.

The incident took the internet by storm as the fans started reacting to Zverev’s injury and his unlucky exit from the big stage. The crowd was disappointed by Zverev’s early withdrawal, but they applauded Nadal for expressing sympathy for his opponent, who appeared to be in pain. Of the many fans, Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri also lauded the 21-time Grand Slam champion for his gesture.

Nadal to play the finals for a record 14th French Open title

“It’s very tough and very sad for him. He was playing an unbelievable tournament and he’s a very good colleague on the tour. I know how much he’s fighting to win a Grand Slam. For the moment, he was very unlucky. I’m sure he’ll win not one, but much more than one. For me, to be in the final of Roland Garros is a dream, without a doubt, but at the same time, for it to finish that way… I have been there in the small room with Sascha and to see him crying like that, I wish him all the best,” said Nadal post the match.

Nadal will be aiming for a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title when he meets Casper Ruud in the finals of the French Open. It will be his 14th French Open finals.