Novak Djokovic's braces for Rafael Nadal, demons of French Open

Novak Djokovic will renew his love and hate relationship with Roland Garros, knowing that he, rather than 12-time
Novak Djokovic's braces for Rafael Nadal, demons of French Open

PARIS: Novak Djokovic will renew his love and hate relationship with Roland Garros, knowing that he, rather than 12-time champion Rafael Nadal, could be the biggest obstacle to winning the second French Open title and the 18th Grand Slam crown.

The only man to defeat Djokovic in 2020 is Djokovic after Serbian hair caused anxiety disqualification from the US Open.

The 33-year-old went to the French capital's record 31: 1 this year after his brain faded in New York after he accidentally hit the line judge with a ball, followed by a record 36th Masters title in Rome.

2016 Djokovic's triumph in Roland Garros allowed him to become only the third man after Don Budge and Rod Laver, who held all four Grand Slam tournaments at once.

Even Nadal, who has 19 major specialties, or Roger Federer, who has 20 Slam records, can't match an astounding achievement.

Federer will miss the French Open to rehabilitate the injured knee, and Nadal has only played three games since February, as evidenced by his departure to the quarterfinals in Rome.

However, Djokovic refused to admire his options at Roland Garros before Sunday's start.

"This is Nadal"Insisted the first world player when he was invited to what is going on in Paris as a favorite.

"The record he has, the story of his results, just can't be put up against anyone."

Djokovic is right to be careful, having suffered many low points on the red clay of Paris.

In 2012 final against Nadal, winning eight games in a row, he took a break and tried to equalize the match two sets at a time when the rain stopped all night.

The next day the game was resumed, but Djokovic's momentum was lost and the double error of the champion point ended his suffering.

Twelve months later, Djokovic was ready to win the semifinals against Nadal with only the usual dismissal, which helped give him a 5-3 score before the finals and a chance to serve the match.

However, he opted for crushing rather than a soothing touch. He fell into the net, losing a point, and Nadal grabbed the league after four hours and 37 minutes.

2018 He lost the quarterfinals to 72nd world leader Marco Cecchinato, and was beaten by Dominic Thiem in the semifinals last year.

That match lasted two days, with many rain stops and such strong winds that an umbrella was sent through the court.

"Of course, when you play in hurricane conditions, it's hard to look your best," Djokovic said.

Nadal, who missed his US Open title defense looks at the 13th French Open for fears of coronavirus.

Since 2005 The Spanish, who won their debut, only lost twice to Roland Garros in 95 matches – Robin Soderling in 2009. And for Djokovic in 2015.

The 34-year-old may appear undercooked after leaving the last eight in Rome for Diego Schwartzman.

However, the last time he experienced such an early departure from the Italian capital was in 2017. – Just a few weeks later, he raised to the 10th French Open without dropping the set.

"It's a completely special and unpredictable year," admitted Nadal from the French Open four months after the pandemic.

The unusual image of the autumn game "Roland Garros" also means radically different conditions than those expected in the usual time interval between May and June.

This may apply to the newly crowned US Open winner Thiem, who lost the last two finals to Nadal in Paris.

The third world oyster has 17 career titles, 10 of which are on clay.

Four of the five victories against Nadal were achieved on clay, and three of the four victories against Djokovic were nailed to the surface of the most tested sport.

Fifth world number Daniil Medvedev has yet to win a match in three visits, with sixth-placed Stefanos Tsitsip winning the last 16 in 2019 and losing a five-set marathon to former champion Stan Wawrinka.

Seventh world number Alexander Zverev, fresh from his second place in New York, has reached the quarterfinals in the last two seasons. Agencies

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