Rafael Nadal will be playing for his 14th French Open title in Paris this May
Rafael Nadal has made his best-ever start to the season winning 12 out of 12 matches so far. Nadal is now the only player in the Open Era to have won at least 450 matches on both hard court and clay surfaces.
The 21-time Grand Slam Champion is in amazing form since the start of the season. He has played two tournaments this year (Australian Open and Mexican Open) and won both. Nadal will go to his favourite French Open high on confidence and definitely as the man to beat.
The Roland Garros will be played in May on the clay courts of Paris. Nadal has made the tournament his own, winning the singles title a record 13 times. He is definitely the fan favourite in Paris and will go into the Grand Slam aiming to win his 22nd Grand Slam title.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic is unlikely to participate because French authorities won’t allow unvaccinated players to enter the country. The current World No.1, Daniil Medvedev will be posing a stiff challenge but Nadal has the edge over him beating him both in the Australian and the Mexican Open.
Rafael Nadal’s 5 greatest matches on clay
1. 2008 French Open Final
Rafael Nadal displayed absolute dominance in this match to beat the then world No. 1, Roger Federer. He won the match 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 completely outclassing Federer in a one-sided final. The sheer dominance against Federer was unseen before in a Grand Slam final. Nadal had announced his arrival to the world in style.
2. 2005 Rome Final
Nadal played Guillermo Corea who was then considered to be one of the greatest players on clay. 18-year old Nadal pulled off an incredible win in a marathon matching lasting 5 sets. Nadal defeated Coria 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 in this match which is considered to be one of the greatest ever Masters finals.
3. 2011 French Open Final
Nadal once again got the better of Federer, winning his sixth French Open title. Nadal won 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 in an intensely fought final, justifying his ‘King of Clay’ title.
4. 2005 French Open Semi-final
Nadal, a teenager took on Federer, one of the biggest names in the tennis world. Federer was looking to win his fifth Grand Slam title but the teenager from Spain stood in his way.
Nadal stunned everyone to win the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Nadal then went on to win the final and clinch the French Open title.
5. 2012 Monte Carlo Final
Nadal defeated his long-time nemesis, Novak Djokovic comprehensively in the final. Nadal won 6-3, 6-1 to win his eighth consecutive Monte Carlo title.
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