Without wanting to detract from the drama of the French Open before it even starts, but honestly, can anyone defeat Rafael Nadal on clay? You never know in sport, which is why the French Open will be exciting no matter what, and the three players closest to Nadal in the ATP World Ranking are all excellent clay-court players – Roger Federer, Novac Djokovic and Andy Murray. But a fit Nadal, in his physical prime, at the top of his game, is an irresistible force on any surface, let alone on the red clay on which he was brought up playing tennis on the Spanish holiday island of Mallorca.
Nadal goes into the 2011 French Open at Roland Garros (May 17-June 5) as defending champion, and it is here where the brutally hard-hitting Spaniard has claimed five of his nine Grand Slam titles, and five out of the last six French Open crowns.
Furthermore, consider what Nadal recently achieved on the clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, where he defeated a rejuvenated Andy Murray in the semi-final before beating compatriot David Ferrer in two sets in the final, 6-4, 7-5. In victory, Nadal set a new ATP Tour record for claiming a title seven consecutive times, surpassing the previous record of six, which was also held by him alone. It is a sequence reminiscent of the legendary Ukrainian pole-vaulter Sergey Bubka, who would systematically break his own world records each year.
“It was really emotional and unbelievable for me in Monte-Carlo,” starts Nadal, who turns 25 on June 3. “To start the clay season like that is fantastic, but it was even better because it was at Monte Carlo. I always feel more emotional when I play in Monte Carlo because of the history of the tournament, and because it was there in 2003 that everything started.”
The 2003 Monte-Carlo tournament saw Nadal make his ATP Masters Series debut at the age of 16, having dominated the early season on the Challenger Tour, which feeds the main circuit. Nadal lost in the third round to Guillermo Coria that year, but he has not lost at single match in Monte-Carlo since. He missed the 2004 tournament through injury, and then since 2005, Nadal has won 37 consecutive matches there, with the 2005 crown coming at the expense of Coria in the final.
“To win seven times in a row anywhere is almost impossible I think,” adds Nadal, who was presented with the trophy by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, as has become the custom. “But to do it in Monte Carlo, when all the best players in the world are here - you always have tough matches – it is almost impossible for me to imagine. So I am very lucky, I think.”
“Rafa is incredible on clay,” said a defeated yet gracious Ferrer in Monte-Carlo. “I mean, he’s everywhere at the same time. He’s the best player on clay in history.”
In preparation for the annual clay-court swing in spring, Nadal watches videos of himself playing on clay to help get his mind re-acclimatised to the slower pace of the brick dust. He’s not the only one: Murray watches footage of Nadal on clay too.
“You need to watch [Nadal] to see what he does better,” admits Murray, who was grateful for being able to take his clay-court preparations a step further by playing a practice set with Nadal at the Monte-Carlo Country Club prior to the tournament. “The one thing that Rafa does very well is his movement. Behind the baseline he moves diagonally back to the ball so he takes it at the highest point. If you move across the baseline too much, that’s when the bad bounces can make
RAFAEL NADAL: THE ESSENTIALS
Born: June 3, 1986, Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Residence: Manacor, Mallorca Turned professional: 2001
World ranking: 1 (first reached No.1 in August 2008) ATP singles titles: 44 ATP doubles titles: 7 Racket: Babolat AeroPro Drive Apparel & footwear: Nike
Grand Slam titles: 9 Australian Open: 2009 French Open: 2005; 2006; 2007; 2008; 2010 Wimbledon: 2008; 2010 US Open: 2010
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