French Open: Rafael Nadal - "The most difficult conditions for me"
In a press conference before the French Open, Rafael Nadal confirmed what Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic had already prophesied: The conditions in Paris autumn in connection with the new balls are not necessarily an advantage for the series winner.
by SID / tennisnet
last edit: Sep 25, 2020, 08:53 pm
Record winner Rafael Nadal has piled low before the start of the French Open. The clay court tournament, which was moved from early summer to autumn due to the corona pandemic, has "the most difficult conditions for me in Roland Garros for many reasons," said the 34-year-old Spaniard at a virtual press conference on Friday and referred to "very slow balls" and a "very heavy, very cold floor".
He was "less prepared than usual," noted Nadal, "but I'm here to fight, to play with the highest possible intensity, to train with the right attitude and to give myself opportunities." He had to "adapt his game to the conditions", explained Nadal, "but you have to be careful because you can't train as much under 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 pro-Djokovic
Dominic Thiem, who stated in the course of a media meeting, that the conditions at the French Open, which has been relocated to the autumn, could well benefit Novak Djokovic, probably Nadal's biggest competitor for the title, also hits the same line . Nonetheless, the Spaniard is the big favorite for title number 13 at the Bois de Boulogne this year too.
Even Djokovic gave the Spaniard the role of favorite and said after his triumph at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome: "He's the top favorite. You can't put anyone above him, especially given his history there." And that is impressive, Nadal's record at the French Open: 93 wins with just two defeats.
Surprising end in Rome
Nadal is the undisputed king of the clay court not only because of his twelve titles and the unique statistics in Roland Garros, but since the Corona forced break, he only started the previous week at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome and failed there in the quarter-finals on one big playing Diego Schwartzman. Before that, Nadal had presented himself in great shape and made short work of Dusan Lajovic and US Open semi-finalist Pablo Carreño Busta.
rg2020