Every year since 2005, there is one question that tennis fans want answered at the French Open – can Rafael Nadal be beaten?
But this year, the top question will be: can Novak Djokovic finally win the Open in 2013?
Many believe that Novak Djokovic will be the favourite to finally claim his first French Open crown this year, this coming on the back of ending Rafael Nadal’s dominance at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he won his biggest clay court title to go with the pair he won in Madrid and Rome two years ago (both by beating Nadal in the final).
Despite Djokovic’s favouritism for the French Open, I still believe that Nadal is the man to beat as he chases an eighth title, which would be a record for any man at any Grand Slam tournament. He has only ever been beaten once at the French Open, and has also only ever been taken to five sets once.
Facing Nadal at the French Open is a virtual mission impossible, but only one man has been able to knock him off the throne. And his name isn’t Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer.
It was on May 31, 2009 in which history at the French Open changed forever. For the first time since Nadal made his tournament debut in 2005, the Spaniard left the court a loser as Robin Soderling sent him packing in four sets.
The removal of the biggest obstacle in Roger Federer’s quest to complete a Career Grand Slam ultimately allowed him to achieve just that.
Novak Djokovic is going to have to hope that something similar happens this year, but I feel that Nadal’s loss in 2009 was simply a one-off, as it has been proven in the last three years.
Losses like these are very rare, though Nadal was beaten in the second round at Wimbledon last year, a result which also changed the course of history and allowed Andy Murray to become the first British man since Bunny Austin in 1938 to reach the Wimbledon final.
John McEnroe has called for the French Open tournament organisers to assign Nadal as the top seed, as it is now all but certain that Nadal cannot overtake David Ferrer (who has a 1,000 point lead over the 11-times Major champion) before the tournament organises its seedings in two weeks’ time.
I would agree with his argument, given that if he is seeded fifth for the French Open, he could potentially face Djokovic in the quarter-finals. That could potentially result in the Serbian’s current streak of eleven consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals being ended (he is on a current streak of fifteen consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals), along with his quest to complete a Career Grand Slam.
And that would be totally unfair. Djokovic and Nadal should not be allowed to meet this early at any tournament. And given their rivalry since 2010, I would love to see yet another final between these two gladiators.
For mine, I feel that Nadal should draw David Ferrer in the quarter-finals, as this would allow all the “Big Four” to reach the semi-finals, as they did in 2011. Ferrer is a worthy player, and has beaten Nadal twice at major tournaments (at the 2007 US Open and the 2011 Australian Open) as well as Murray (last year’s French Open).
So, will this finally be the year that Novak Djokovic finally wins the French Open?
His Monte Carlo Masters victory over Nadal could set the precedence for a dominant clay court season.
However, it’s going to take skill, guts and determination to achieve the ultimate prize and he will have to be ready to beat Rafael Nadal, whenever they do meet.
Djokovic will also be desperate to go one better after losing to Nadal in last year’s two-day French Open final, where the match was suspended due to rain on the first day, just when Djokovic appeared to have some momentum going, having Nadal on the ropes in the third and fourth sets before the Spaniard came back to win in four sets.
Nadal has retained his title in Barcelona, which means it’s equal in the European clay court season as far as champions are concerned.
There are still the clay court events in Madrid (which starts this week) and Rome to get through, before we can really determine who is the favourite to win the French Open this year. An outright favourite cannot be determined by just one tournament. Maybe it was that Nadal wasn’t having a good day in that Monte Carlo final.
I still feel that he is the man to beat at Roland Garros, given his dominance on clay and at the tournament overall. Djokovic will challenge, but the big question will be whether he can challenge Nadal over five sets on clay. As for Federer and Murray – they will probably want the grass court season to start sooner rather than later.
Later on this month I will provide a full preview of the men’s and women’s chances at the French Open, with the main focus being on Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal for the men, and for the women, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams.
Tony
Guest
Hahahaha Rafa is already the virtual number 1 for 2013. From Wimbledon on he has no points to defend and will just add points . He has been awesome since his comeback.
navdeep
Guest
Novak goat really r u kiddin me. One good year n he bcom the best.u guys hav lost ur mind.nadal is going to win his 8th RG title.i do believe novak has chance but if rafa lost early which is not goin to happen. So better luck next time my novak maniacs.
Johnny
Guest
I don't think Nadal will win it. I'm a huge fan of Djokovic's and I think he'll break his hoodoo at the French
reality bites
Guest
Just so everyone gets it, my post was in jest. People who slag off great players based on age or match ups have no idea about tennis. Even great players lose. As fans we should not lose perspective.
reality bites
Guest
Poor analysis. You don't judge a player on a match up. Novak lost this morning to Dimitrov, does that mean Dimitrov is a better player? Fed is the second most successful clay court player of his generation. He hasn't beaten Nadal at RG, but he has beaten him in Madrid and come very close in Rome. Fed and Novak also have had very even battles at RG, no one can confidently say who can win. I honestly believe Federer would relish another shot at Nadal this year.
reality bites
Guest
Good morning Alexis, have you had time to wipe the egg of your face this morning? Your 'monster' just lost to Dimitrov in Madrid. Furthermore he lost to Tommy Haase in Miami, a 34 year old. I bet that hurt. Djokovic is fading fast, too injury prone & soft! True legends like Federer never lose so easily.
deleep
Guest
Surely Rafeal will own the French Open title.
Josh Killman
Guest
HAHAHAHAHA ITS SO FUNNY THAT YOU PUT NADAL AT NUMBER ONE!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Nadal is at the most number 3 all time behind Federer and Pete. Nadal has purel y been a clay-court player over his career. He is not a complete player at all. Federer is the most complete player of all time and Sampras is second cause he never won the French Open.
mirko
Guest
Lolit, a wrong assessment,that someone who dethroned Nadal from Monte Carlo, his unassailable fortress is good only on hard court,is not it a joke?Novak is stronger on clay than Fed because he had already beaten Rafa,best clay court tennis player ever at all clay Masters except RG,I hope this year Novak undoubted No.1,will sweep it all !
hassam
Guest
It was on May 31, 2009 in which history at the French Open changed forever. For the first time since Nadal made his tournament debut in 2005, the Spaniard left the court a loser as Robin Soderling sent him packing in four sets. Novak Djokovic is going to have to hope that something similar happens this year. This line from the article shows that author is not mentally stable the man who have beaten Nadal in 7 straight finals and recently ended his reign at Monte carlo is going to hope that someone else will wipe Nadal out of his way for him to win the tournament totally rubbish Novak is good enough to beat rafa on any given day, he does not need any favor from any other player.........!
Lolit
Guest
Either Nadal or Roger Federer will win the French Open!Novak is just only good for hard court!But Big chance for the King Of Clay Rafa!
clipper
Guest
Agree, Matt - as close to a third of all matches are on clay, you could say Pete was one of the best ever grass or hardcourt players, but could not say he was one of the best ever tennis players.
ALEXIS WENDEL
Guest
roger to old!! TO PLAY 5sets!! NO GOOD CONDITONS!!! HE MUST BE LIKE NOVAK WHO IS A MONSTER!!!PSY...he kill nadal his nervse it was a big momemt fo novak because he is the best allrounder all time he WIN THE WHOLE HISTORY 8 OF 9 MASTERS !NOBODY DID THIS NOT NADAL NOT FEDERER NOT SAMPRAS NOT AGASSI RAFTER BJORN BORG OR OTHER SO NOVAK IS THE MAN TO BEAT AT THE MOMENT HE IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD THIS SAY TONI NADAL!!! TONI KNOWS THAT NOVAK GROWN UP ON CLAY HE LOVES CLAY!! AND NOVAK GOOD IS THE MVP IN TENNIS!!! IN TONI NADALS WORLD
matt
Guest
Fed has been out with an ailing back. Nadal won't peak until RG and the jokers best chance is to draw him in the QF and snuff him out early, otherwise say hello to my little friend...title no. 8. Love it when Pete gets a mention, massive waste of space on a clay court!
sledgeandhammer
Guest
Based on Monte Carlo Djokovic deserves to be favourite, with Nadal right up there. My other favourite is world number 2 Roger Federer. Like Djokovic Federer has beaten Nadal on red clay, and has been second most dominant clay court player of past 10 years. Murray and Ferrer are not a threat. Tsonga is a massive threat. Tommy Haas might cause an upset, as could Dimitrov.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
Let's not forget Federer. He has beaten Djokovic at Rolland Garros, and come very close to beating Nadal in 2011. In 2009 Federer beat Nadal in Madrid (red clay) and had two match points in Rome final v Nadal several years ago (red clay). He is world number 2 and second most successful clay court player of past 10 years. And he is coming off 6 weeks rest, if you offer 20/1 against Federer I would definitely be putting my money down.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
The fastest the clay court the better for Nadal. Just look at 2010 and 2011, babolat introduced the smaller faster balls, Nadal won. Nadal will win again. Djokovic the best player at 25? No chance. Only 1 final at the home of Tennis Wimbledon.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Read yesterday that Nadal wouldn't be RG's top seed and will either be 4 or 5, which means a possible QF against Djokovic. I think RG's boss Gilbert Ysern Took the right and fairest decision. If Nadal is the best, he will have to beat anyone he faces no matter what round it is. Good call.
clipper
Guest
The odds are nearly that at the moment and would be even higher if the draw came out that they couldn't face each other until the final.
Alexander Grant
Roar Pro
With a French Open court that plays closer to a hardcourt? Can't be doubted. It's maybe slightly exaggerating, but the surface speed is certainly quicker - which would give him an edge over Nadal in his current form. In saying that, Nadal is starting to look like his old self again. Odds of someone other than these two winning should be 20/1 minimum.