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| Can Rafael Nadal get a bite on the French Open trophy this time |
Okay, I'm gonna admit that I'm not a Nadal fan. But even with that you cannot dismiss the dominance that he possesses all these years on his favourite surface - clay. With the clay court season coming around and French Open starting soon let us analyse the chances of our 5-time defending champion, his possible opponents and their strengths.
With French Open coming around the corner, you expect Nadal to be in his prime form. Even if he isn't, he brings back his 'A' game willfully to triumph at the Rolland Garros. This shows how much this title is to him.
But at 28, where all the athletes will be at their peak - both physically and mentally, Nadal is going through a tough phase as neither his knee has completely recovered from injury nor his form exudes confidence. He lost in the earlier round of Barcelona open - a title that he won 8 times, that too, after earning a set point. That is not the Nadal we have seen and by his own gruelling standards he has set for himself, he could be back with Madrid open and Rome masters nearing. Nadal fans can expect his form roaring but also with fingers crossed.
The Spanish government is doing everything to cheer this man up - they recently presented him the highest honour in the country - a gold medal.
Novak Djokovic - The major hurdle
What should I tell u about him right now? He just cannot lose a tennis match even he wants to do so. I m not exaggerating things but just saying the plain truth. Winning all the available masters title of the season and having beaten all top10 players, he is the man to watch. With the french open being his only Grand Slam missing from his trophy cabinet, is which gives the extra motivation to win this year. He has the game, attitude to win any kind of matches. He can submit an opponent with his brute powerful strokeplay or can even wear down his opponent by playing a rally on and on and on. Be sure not to bet against him.
Roger Federer might still be a threat
At 33 and not so his favourite surface coupled with the glowing form of Djokovic looming large, you position Roger Federer below Nadal and Djokovic in the list of contenders. But mind you that I'm only predicting and the Swiss great has proved his detractors wrong many times before and I'm hoping he can prove me wrong one more time. Because Federer is Federer and there is no substitute for that.
In 2011 French Open semifinals, the Serbian who was considered as the favourite that year (won 3 other Grand Slams) was beaten by a classy Federer we all know. I'm sure that match is the greatest clay court match he has ever played till date. Maybe he can better that and win his 2nd French Open this year.
Kei Nishikori can compete
My last one on the list is this man from Japan. This may be a surprise to many as there are many talented clay court specialists out there on the circuit. I'm choosing him just for one good reason - when is on form, he can win a tennis match from any situation. And now, he is in form.
He is a kind of an "irritating opponent" for any player. He can play solid rallies and he creates points and cuts angular winners from both forehand and backhand side of the court like a precise diamond cutter. The one thing lacking is his big match experience which was brutally exposed in last year's US Open final.
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