Why is it so difficult against Rafael Nadal at the French Open? Jordan Thompson explains
Why is Rafael Nadal so strong at the French Open? It also has something to do with space.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: May 26, 2022, 08:26 am
Alexander Zverev had already mentioned it before the tournament started: This Court Philippe-Chatrier is doing something with Rafael Nadal, according to Zverev. The forehand suddenly comes 20 miles faster. And Nadal moves more lightly.
And Jordan Thompson saw it the same way. The Australian had the dubious pleasure of facing Nadal in Round 1 of this year's edition. And did quite well at 2: 6, 2: 6, 2: 6, especially after the beginning. Thompson had smashed a forehand down the line at full speed to the winner after being sent all over the place by Nadal. Thompson explained his reaction in retrospect: He knew before the match that he would get into trouble, "but after that first point - I don't know how I won it - I just thought: Damn it! It has to I tear to make a point?"
Nadal with a lot of exercise on Court Philippe-Chatrier
Even later, when Thompson had dominated a point and lost, he was irritated. "I remember looking up at my team and explaining that I hit one of the toughest forehands of my life. But she came back. I knocked over a drive volley. He came back even harder and I wasn't even in close to the ball," said Thompson. "I looked up and thought, 'I did everything I could and I didn't even come close to winning the point'." Sometimes you think about what you can do at all. "And I'm not the only one."
A crucial point that many opponents have also pointed out: the wide outlet on the main square in Roland Garros. Nadal can stand further back here, dodge further to the outside than anywhere else. "I served a few kick serves and on the side courts they would have landed in the side fence. But here he's not even close to the side line," Thompson said To make a point because he's so far behind and the space is so big." In general, it was "a constant pressure against Nadal .
Corentin Moutet has now also convinced himself of this in round 2 , but Nadal's path becomes more difficult. Now Botic van de Zandschulp is waiting, after that he could face Felix Auger-Aliassime (with uncle Toni as coach!). And in the quarterfinals: already with Novak Djokovic!
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