A lot has happened to the greatest clay court player in the history of tennis this year. None has been more painful than the fact that he is now down the pecking order on the books of a lot of revered journos. The legendary Majorcan who has posted some of the most incredible numbers on the red dirt over the years, has by his very high standards, played extremely poorly this season. His 17-5 clay record only includes one title (ATP Buenos Aires). More scathing is the fact that he was humbled in his own backyard by Andy Murray in the Madrid Final. He was also battered by Fognini in Barcelona where he has been champion 8 times and fumbled in the Rio Open semi-final against the same opponent. To add insult to injury, Novak Djokovic beat him silly at Monte Carlo, where he has also been champion 8 times. In fairness, he has been awful but to say he can't make it number 10 at Roland Garros is going too far.
This is the first time the Nadal is entering the French Open tournament without a European clay court title since 2004 and as #6 seed, it is the lowest he has ranked since 2005 entering into the biggest clay competition in Tennis. But there is a reason why he is called 'The King of clay'. With a 66-1 record and 9 titles on the red dirt of court Philippe Chatrier, no reasonable person will bet against him winning his 10th Coupe des Mosquetaires. Due to Milos Raonic's withdrawal from the Open, Rafa's seeding rose to #6 and that has earned him a likely QF match up v the hottest player on tour and world number one, Novak Djokovic. This is the Serb's best chance of completing the career grand slam that has eluded some of the greatest players the Sport has ever seen. With his biggest challenger in probably the worst form of his life on his favourite surface, it is NOW or NEVER for the man who just turned 28. But Rafa is not called 'EL REY DEL CLAY' for nothing. Robin Soderling is a history maker for being the only player to beat Nadal in Paris and it goes without saying that the task ahead for any challenger to the throne is gargantuan.
For all those who have struck the Spanish legend out of the ''favourites list', they have something astonishing in store. The GOAT on clay is down but not out and if numbers and past achievements are anything to go by, it will take more than just what we have seen the last 5 months to unseat a man who has a 35-match winning streak on Parisian clay. Rafa Nadal is the best ever on the red dirt and a different animal when he plays in Paris. The added motivation of playing Novak (if it eventually happens) on his 29th birthday will help him to overcome what has become the most difficult hurdle in Tennis in recent times. We will see a fortnight from Sunday who stands alone, hosting the Coupe des Mosquetaires. I have my money on RAFA...All of it.
GRACIAS
Ohireime P Eboreime
@lordbaruda1987
