In 2020, Rafael Nadal won his thirteenth French Open title, a feat no one has ever accomplished at Roland Garros or at any other major.  He defeated the number one seed and number one ranked player, Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

Nadal’s Opposition in 2021

Unlike Wimbledon that has over the years adjusted a player’s seeding based on their performance on the surface, that has not been the case at the other three majors.  This year Nadal is seeded number three.  Can he win from this position?  Yes, he can, but it could potentially be a psychological barrier that he will have to overcome.  Add to this, the gap between Nadal and the other players on this surface has decreased.  They know his game now and have adjusted their games to neutralize his weapons on clay. Nadal needs to play consistently quality tennis on clay to feel at his best. Coronavirus has made play at all tennis tournaments extremely difficult to gain consistency for the past two seasons. Nadal is or will be a year older.  Finally, he may have to get pass the number one seed before the final.

Rafael Nadal Has Lost Twice In Paris

2016 was not really a loss as he withdrew from the tournament due to a wrist injury after two impressive rounds.  In 2015 the Spaniard lost to Djokovic in three sets, that was a surprise to all his fans, but perhaps not so much. 2009 was his first loss at Roland Garros.  It came out of nowhere and stunned not only Nadal, but also the tennis world. It probably taught him one of his most valuable lessons. Nadal and his team realize that he has to tweak his game a little more each season to keep his advantage over the field.

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You Cannot Count Nadal Out

On clay we know his talent; however, on clay at Roland Garros, Nadal plays at his highest level.  There is something about the French Open clay courts that elevates Nadal’s confidence. Then there is the fact that this a five-set tournament. A fact that works in the Spaniard’s favor, because he wears you down, physically, emotionally, and mentally.  When the odds were against him at nineteen years old, he claimed his first Roland Garros title in 2005.  Therefore, we should not underestimate the bond that the Spaniard has on this surface, but more important, with the courts at Roland Garros.

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