Home > Tennis > Can Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer grab Rafael Nadal's clay crown?
Can Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer grab Rafael Nadal's clay crown?
The young Spaniard has lifted the Roland Garros trophy for the last three years - but he'll find it much tougher this time round.
by connor harper on 18 April 2008
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Soaking up the excitement and atmosphere at the French Open is something most of us n only dream about, and this year promises to be no different at Roland Garros.
Raafeal Nadal has won the French Open for three years in a row now, but something is changing at the moment. The top two, Roger Federer and Nadal, haven’t shown the form that we expect and Novak Djokovic seems to be getting better and better every time he hits the ball.
But does he have the overall game to overcome the mastery that Nadal brings every year to this marvellous tournament? I can promise you one thing, though, and that is that this tournament will be fantastic, and with several rising stars in the game anything can happen.
Federer seems more fired up to tackle Nadal this term, and has been preparing early in clay tournaments, something he has never put much emphasis on before. Maybe this could be his year to land the only Grand Slam that has so far eluded him.
Some question his ability on the surface, although I try to focus all me attention to the way Nadal plays on it. Federer, even at his best, doesn’t seem to be able to rock Nadal's boat on clay.
On the other hand, the less proven clay court powerhouse would be Djokovic, and his outstanding form so far this year seems to put him in a good position to rack up his second Grand Slam of 2008.
Tennis will, of course, be the major attraction, but you can hardly fail to notice the amazing scenery and fantastic atmosphere at Roland Garros. The fans are the most polite and welcoming you are ever likely to come across.
I travelled there last year to watch the fantastic tennis, and yet again the weather was pretty good, and the tennis was out of this world. What else could you ask for? Everything you need for an exceptional tennis experience.
It ranks as one of the best Grand Slams to watch. But you have to be there to experience the fabulous occasion. Roland Garros this year promises to be one of the finest ever.
Comments (10)
by Mandy Hawthorn on April 18, 2008
Rafa Nadal will capture all the clay titles this year no doubt about it and he will go on to take the Wimbledon title :) It should have been his last year in that 5set match with Federer, he was the better player of the two, Roger had all the luck that day!!! Rafa has played really well on hardcourts at the start of the seaons (we all no its not his favourite surface but he`s always improving and trying) ok so he hasnt won a title but come on his results arent poor and he has more points than he was aiming for after hardcourt season something like 1250. Rafa is gonna dominate the clay season :) As for Novak i dont see all the fuss about him, he wins one grand slam and thats him going to threaten the likes of the top two players in the world. Oh please all credit to him for winning the Aussie open, but i really dont see Novak being a big threat i just dont!!! Theres to much hype about him he`s number 3 and will continue to stay in that ranking. As for Roger Federer, he is Federer the best in the world, ok so he`s had a few mishaps in his previous tournaments and then you get the media and everyone saying thats Roger finished, thats rubbish. He isnt playing like he did last year and his results show that but Rafa and Roger are going to continue to rule the tennis as the best top two players in the world!!!! Until Rafa takes over at wimby and gets that number 1 ranking that he deserves. Rafa is only 21years old, he has his whole future ahead of him, he plays amazing, he brings so much energy and fun to the game. I love him !!!!! He`s not only a very talented player but he is one hell of a hot spainard mmmm, piece of him anyday haha He is the sexiest tennis player ever love him very much and wish him all the best for upcoming tournaments, i`ll be cheering as usual for him and dont really care what other people say about him because its not true Rafa Rocks !!!!!! Vamos Rafa love Mandy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
by Questions on April 18, 2008
No doubt Djokovic will win more tournaments this year, but Rolland Garros? What are you basing that on? He has not done anything particularly impressive on clay yet, just look at which players he has and has not beaten on the surface. Except for injury or something like that, count on Rafa to win at least 3 but more likely 4 or 5 of Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Hamburg and Rolland Garros. RG especially. There is an outside change Roger will get RG, but no more than that. And, I agree with Mandy, Nadal's form on hardcourt has been stronger than in previous years, even if he didn't get a title.
by connor harper on April 18, 2008
I didn't say that HE would win it, just suggested that he has an outstanding oppertunity to overcome Nadal this year. Just wait and see my man, wait and see
by iris on April 19, 2008
Nadal wil win.. be sure of that he is and will always be the clay king!
by John Rules on April 20, 2008
Martina Navratilova picked Henin and Djokovic to win the French during Serena's match on ESPN. Not that it means anything but I'm excited about the prospect. Last year during the slams Novak played some super long matches and then was too tired to take on Nadal, so I'm curious to see with his recent burst of confidence and great form if he can make it happen. Go Novak!
by Questions on April 20, 2008
Connor, What prompted me to respond to your article was both your headline and what you wrote about Djoko's chances to win at Rolland Garros. You wrote about his chances to get his second slam in Paris this year. Correct me if I'm wrong but your article was not about him overtaking Nadal in the rankings, but about his and Federer's chances to win in Paris this spring.
by connor harper on April 20, 2008
Your dead right my friend, I'm not really suggesting in this article that he will over take anyone in the rankings, just plain and simple, is his chance to win the French open! Thanks a lot for your questions, if anyone has any, don't hesitate to ask me!
by shola jidex on April 22, 2008
who is novak?just too much hype.i just dont like his tennis.hes too dull for my liking.i would prefer watching andy roddick and roger.they play good tennis. but i will give nadal the french open.the guy will bounce back when the tournament begins
by yatra on April 23, 2008
nadal is the KING OF CLAY,and one day he will definitely become the KING OF GRASS no doubt!!! So we cannot isolate him just bcoz he has not won a title?how stupid!! RAFA will spring back to win all the clay court tournaments this year.Watch out federer,novak and all those who like to stop nadal's rein on clay.HE is here to give a chase for money. Common rafa:All the best-from your die hard fan.
on April 24, 2008 on April 24, 2008
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