Men's French Open Final Preview- Nadal vs Djokovic
The final weekend of the French Open concludes with two of the greatest of all time facing off in the men’s final at Rolland Garros. Novak Djokovic faces Rafael Nadal who has been the dominant force at the French Open for 16 years.
Nadal, who is the second seed at the tournament is aiming to win a record setting 13th Rolland Garros and has only lost two matches in 16 years at the French Open.
Despite his amazing record at Rolland Garros and his mastery of the clay court, Nadal will face stern competition in number one seed Novak Djokovic and knows that he will have to raise his game to beat the world number one.
"I know to play against Novak, I need to play my best," the 34-year-old Spaniard said.
"Without playing my best tennis, the situation [against Djokovic] is very difficult,
"I know that is a court that I have been playing well on for such a long time, so that helps.
"But at the same time, he has an amazing record here too, being in the final rounds almost every single time.
"He is one of the toughest opponents possible. But I am here to keep trying my best.” Said Nadal, who lost to Djokovic at Rolland Garros.
"I know I have to make a step forward. I think I did one in the semi-finals. But for Sunday that is not enough. I need to make another one.
"That's what I'm looking for. I am going to work hard to try to make that happen." Concluded Nadal.
Rafa Nadal, who has been dubbed the ‘King of Clay’, is looking to become the first player to win 100 matches at the French Open is looking to equal Roger Federer’s Grand Slam total of 20 single titles.
The Spaniard has continued to amaze on the clay court and has shown why he is considered one of the greatest of all times with his form in this year’s Rolland Garros. The 34-year-old has yet to drop a set in the entire tournament and beat an in-form Diego Schwartzman in semi-finals who is the only seed that he has faced in the tournament.
Djokovic, however, is the toughest test of the tournament for Nadal. Djokovic has continued the great form that he entered the tournament with. The 33-year-old Serbian has yet to lose a match that he has completed in 2020, the only blemish on his record was the match that he was defaulted from at the US Open. He has won 37 straight matches throughout 2020 but unlike Nadal has dropped three sets in this tournament.
Djokovic believes that the conditions are better suited to his game and will give him an advantage. The colder temperatures mean that the balls will not bounce as much which restricts the Nadal’s game which on clay heavily relies on top spin and varying bounce.
"I think that could be a better chance for me, obviously the ball not bouncing as high over the shoulder as he likes it usually.” Said Djokovic, the 2016 Rolland Garros champion.
"Regardless of the conditions, he's still there, he's Rafa, he's in the finals and we're playing on clay." He concluded.
The final will see two greats face off against each other in what will be a very intriguing matchup as the in-form and dominant Djokovic will be up against the ‘King of Clay’ Nadal who never looks uncomfortable or in trouble on the clay courts of Rolland Garros.
