World No.1 Novak Djokovic admitted playing Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is one of the biggest challenges on the tennis tour. Nadal has an unprecedented record at the French Open, winning the Grand Slam on 14 occasions, which is the most for any player in a single Major.
The Spaniard, who is known as the King of Clay, has a 112-3 record at Roland Garros. Out of Nadal’s three losses at his favorite tournament, two have come against Djokovic.
He lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2015 quarter-finals and 2021 semi-finals. Nadal is a beast at Philippe Chatrier but his recent fitness is a cause of concern. The 22-time Grand Slam champion was thrashed in straight sets (6-1, 6-3) by Hubert Hurkacz in the second round of the Italian Open.
On the other hand, Novak Djokovic was also stunned by Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets in the second round of the Italian Open.
“It’s probably one of the biggest challenges you can have on the tennis tour, playing Rafa at Roland Garros,”claimed Djokovic. “We know his record there and I’ve played him probably more than any other player has played him on that court.”
Djokovic continued, “The court is bigger, there’s more space, which affects visually the play a lot and the feeling of the player on the court and he likes to stand quite far back to return. So you have some times when he’s really in the zone and in the groove and not making many errors, you feel like he’s impenetrable, he’s like a wall. It’s really a paramount challenge to play him at Roland-Garros, he’s an incredible athlete.
“The tenacity and intensity he brings on the court, particularly there, is something that was very rarely seen in the history of the sport. So I’m sure it’s going to be a very emotional tournament for him, as it was in Madrid and here, but there in particular because of all the records he has.”
Djokovic decided to skip the Madrid Open in order to stay fresh on the tour. “I had plenty of time to rest and train. I had a good training block and I arrived here two days ago to get a hit on centre court.
“With top players it’s obviously different when you train with them, playing practice sets, seeing where your game is at and working your way towards fine form for your first match.”
The French Open will begin on May 20.
