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Rafael Nadal confirmed in a press conference before the French Open what Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic predicted: The conditions in autumn in Paris in relation to the new balls are not necessarily an advantage for the winner of the series.
by SID / tennisnet
Last edit: September 25, 2020, 8:53 pm
Record winner Rafael Nadal has stacked up before the start of the French Open. The clay court tournament, which was moved from early summer to fall by the crown pandemic, has “the most difficult conditions for me at Roland Garros for many reasons,” the 34-year-old Spaniard said on Friday at a wheel of virtual press and referred to “very slow balls” and a “very heavy, very cold floor.”
I was “less prepared than usual,” Nadal said, “but I’m here to fight, to play as intensely as possible, to train with the right attitude and to give myself opportunities.” He had to “adapt his game to the conditions,” Nadal explained, “but you have to be careful because you can’t train so much in these conditions.” With a heavy ball like the one used in Paris, the shoulders and elbows would be particularly stressed.
Thiem also sees conditions more favorable to Djokovic
Dominic Thiem, who claimed over the course of a media meeting that conditions at the French Open, which was postponed in the fall, could well benefit Novak Djokovic, probably Nadal’s biggest competitor for the title, is also in in the same line. However, the Spaniard is also the big favorite for the 13th title at the Bois de Boulogne this year.
Even Djokovic gave the Spaniard the role of favorite and said after his triumph at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome: “He is the top seed. You cannot put anyone above him, especially given his history there.” And you see that, Nadal’s record at the French Open: 93 wins with just two losses.
Surprising ending in Rome
Nadal is the undisputed king of clay not only because of his twelve titles and unique stats at Roland Garros, but since Corona’s forced hiatus, he only started the week before at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome and failed there in the quarterfinals in a great playing Diego Schwartzman. Before that, Nadal had performed in great form and had done brief work with Dusan Lajovic and US Open semifinalist Pablo Carreño Busta.
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