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Of course, the corona virus and his early defeat at the Masters 1000 tournament in Rome have not changed the favorite role of twelve-time Paris winner Rafael Nadal. In his “living room” at Roland Garros and in “best of five” mode on clay, the Spaniard remains the number one favorite even at 34. Serbian Novak Djokovic with his 31 wins in 32 games this season and Thiem, who lost to Djokovic this year in the Australian Open final, are considered his toughest rivals.
It is indisputable that the French Open will be different this time for various reasons. Of course, as in New York, everything is under the sign of the coronavirus pandemic and the “bubble”: the organizers, however, let many more players into their system than last time. the US Open. Unlike the US Open, there is a classification, mixed competition, junior and legend competitions are also held.
However, there were the first cases of coronavirus among players before the first hit in qualifying. However, according to the current state, up to 5,000 viewers per day should be allowed. At Roland Garros, unlike the US Open, there will be no “ghost matches”, unless the coronavirus crisis worsens dramatically in the coming days.
New date, new balls
The season of the year is different than usual at the French Open. Instead of the traditional date of late May / early June and spring in Paris, the world’s largest clay tennis tournament takes place four months later. “I can remember, in the 2016 semi-finals against Djokovic it was eleven degrees. It won’t be much colder either, “Thiem said recently on the ORF” Sport am Sonntag “show.
However, Thiem sees a big difference in the new balls at Roland Garros. They are now produced by Wilson (formerly Babolat). “That will be the biggest difference.” During preparation in Vienna, he tasted the balls.
“The Babolat were actually my favorite balls, they were nice and fast, perfect for my game, perfect for Nadal’s game too.” The new balls will be slower, more “open”. “That will certainly change the results a bit,” Thiem predicted. The surface will also be slower than usual due to the lower temperatures.
Tailwind after the US Open
Due to the US Open triumph, Thiem also lost a lot of pressure. The new slack could make it even more dangerous in Paris. “It can be very good for my game. I hope to take advantage of the tailwind that hit me with the US Open title in Paris, ”said Thiem, who failed in the 2018 and 2019 French Open finals against Nadal.
