Rome won, Paris here I come: Nadal

Rome, May 20 

Defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal said on Sunday that he can’t wait to hit the clay courts of Roland Garros after claiming his first title this season and record-breaking ninth Italian Open trophy. Nadal defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-0 4-6 6-1 for a record 34th Masters, leaving his vanquished foe to label the Spaniard as “the number one favourite for Roland Garros”.

“I am going to be there with time enough, as always,” said 32-year-old Nadal, eyeing a 12th trophy in Paris. 

“I’m going to repeat my normal routines. For sure I can’t wait to be there and have the feeling, see the stadium, watch all the new great things that Roland Garros is doing,” the 17-time Grand Slam winner said of the rebuilt Philippe Chatrier Centre Court. 

His first title this season, and particularly on his favourite clay surface, is a huge boost for the Spaniard. “Happy to reach that level in the last tournament before a Grand Slam,” said Nadal. “But, as I said, I don’t want to talk about Grand Slams now. I never did in the past. Important title, now’s the moment to keep going,” he added. 

“For me, the most important thing is to feel myself playing well and feel myself healthy, with the energy that I need. If that happens, experience is that I am going to fight for titles sooner or later.” he added. 

Nadal pulled out of Indian Wells with a knee injury, and couldn’t make it past the semifinals in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid. “After Indian Wells, there have been some tough moments for me in terms of recovering again,” he said. “I didn’t arrive very well prepared to Monte Carlo. There have been some low moments for me. The first round in Barcelona, that was a disaster.” 

Nadal overtook Djokovic at the top of the list for Masters wins — the pair were level at 33 each before Sunday’s final — although the latter still holds a 28-26 career edge.

Djokovic is targetting his fourth Grand Slam in a row after Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open. The 31-year-old’s only title in Paris was in 2016. “Nadal, number one favourite, without a doubt, then everyone else,” said Djokovic. “But I think it’s going to be a good tournament.” — AFP