Rafael Nadal determined to challenge Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic ahead of French Open

Share this story





Rafael Nadal is confident he will be able to rediscover his best form in time to match Novak Djokovic at the French Open.

The ‘King of Clay’ lost to the world number one in the semi-finals of last week’s Monte Carlo Masters and doubts remain over whether or not he will be fit enough to claim his 10th Roland Garros crown in 11 years.

In contrast, Djokovic has been flying so far in 2015, winning at the Australian Open in January, before going on to become the first male to take victory at the first three Masters events of the year following his victory in Monaco over the weekend.

The French Open is the only Grand Slam that currently eludes the Serb and he has made no secret of his desire to finally break his duck when the event gets underway on May 24.

After years of injury issues, Nadal still has some distance to go before he can reach his peak again but the Spaniard is confident he will be ready to go all the way with Djokovic on the Parisian clay.

“This year I have to do things right, get back to a very high level to face him (Djokovic) on the court,” he said. “Tennis-wise, I feel a lot better than a few weeks ago.

“I am going to try to get as far as I can and to play as well as I can, topping the level I showed in Monte Carlo.”

Nadal is the current second favourite behind Djokovic for the French Open, with the Spaniard 2.60 to win the title, while his rival is 2.10.

Leave a comment