The undisputed king of clay , Rafael Nadal is one title away from matching Roger Federer ’ s all - time Grand Slam record , but 15 years on from the Spaniard ’ s first French Open triumph he appears more vulnerable than ever at his beloved Roland Garros .
Nadal owns an astounding 93 - 2 record in Paris dating back to his debut in 2005 , when , still a teenager , he became the first player to win the French Open on his first attempt since Mats Wilander in 1982 .
Fast - forward to the present day , and his 19 Grand Slam crowns — a record 12 of which have come at Roland Garros — coupled with Federer ’ s absence after knee surgery leave him on the brink of history at a venue where he has won each of the past three years .
Yet a multitude of factors , mostly beyond his control , have conspired against Nadal and offered hope to his chief rivals — namely Novak Djokovic and recent US Open winner Dominic Thiem .
Boris Becker , a former coach of world number one Djokovic, suggested the rescheduled tournament — pushed back from its traditional spring billing due to the coronavirus pandemic — will be tougher than usual for Nadal .
The heavier conditions could suit hardcourt players more and negate some of Nadal’ s lethal topspin , possibly aiding Thiem who has finished runner - up in Paris twice in succession .
“ This year is going to be particularly hard for Rafael Nadal. He’ s my number one favourite but the difference between him and the other players is less big this year than usual, ” said Becker , a six - time Grand Slam champion.
“ He ’ s not in his regular rhythm . He needs match practice . Normally , he was coming to Roland Garros having often played four big clay tournaments, which he had generally won . ”
Nadal will head into the French Open without a clay title under his belt for the first time , having lost in straight sets to Diego Schwartzman in the quarter - finals at Rome — his first tournament in six months.
“ It ’ s not a moment for excuses . I’ ve spent a long time without competing , I played two good matches , ” Nadal, who skipped the US Open citing Covid - 19 concerns , said following the defeat .
“ It ’ s a completely special and unpredictable year , ” he added . “ I did my job here . I did a couple things well and other things bad . At least I played three matches. ”
AFP
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