The Serb brings the element of uncertainty that will test Nadal in the Roland-Garros final
Rafael Nadal has owned Roland Garros for most of his career Novak Djokovic’s assumption of the lease on Sunday afternoon depends on two factors: the Spaniard’s desire and the Serbian’s neck
Over the course of six matches, there has been no sign of the champion’s waning willpower, as he fought to win every set that Djokovic’s body – especially that area stretching from the top from his spine to his fingertips – can withstand the pressure of the championship is less certain, however strong his retort to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets in the second semi-final Friday night finale Nadal’s previous dismissal of Diego Schwartzman had its moments of anxiety, but there was no doubt he would win
The answer will come at the end of this 53rd Roland Garros, an incredible 12 that Nadal has won since his debut in 2005 Djokovic disrupted his reign in the 2015 quarter-finals and won the crown in his forced absence due to from an injury in 2016, but otherwise this kingdom was ruled from Mallorca
Djokovic cites their match five years ago as a reason to believe he has a good chance of winning What he brought to the discussion was the element of uncertainty that makes sporting opportunities great Memorable When he saved two match points to stop Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final last year, he confirmed his knack for disturbing his peers was stronger than ever If he can stand, he will keep hitting
Jim Courier, the American who won twice here, is also uncertain as most of the result “Rafa was fabulous,” he told ITV “I liked the adjustments he made in the Rome game [when he lost to Schwartzman in the quarter-finals] I liked that he changed his return-of-serve position a bit
« He was in Rafa’s normal form that we used to see at this tournament He wasn’t too challenged He comes fresh for another final and he knows it will be a tough game It’s going to be a colossal battle between these two titans There is so much at stake It is simply magnificent to see these two incredible players do it again here at Roland Garros in the final with so much
« It’s going to be difficult to finish the points. It will be colder on Sunday… and the drop shot will be the key for both of us Rafa is a little more comfortable with the forehand and Novak a little more to the comfortable with the backhand We will look for that for sure in the final «
These are strategies and tactics What is more difficult to measure is the feeling and the instinct Chris Evert, another American in Paris who has triumphed here, seems to lean towards Djokovic « Novak is sometimes not human « , she declared on Eurosport » I look at Nadal and see a warrior who fights for everything He will leave blood on the court I look at Djokovic and I see more of a robot but in a good way The mental part of his game is one step ahead of everyone It’s great «
Those who saw Nadal fight against Schwartzman’s stubborn challenge would put his mental toughness on a par with Djokovic’s, as none of the finalists have any stoppage in him If Djokovic were to win, he would have to keep playing until the age of 43 and win every French slam to reach Nadal’s record in Paris, where the era of the Open began in 1968. Some discs are fireproof and this is the safest in the game
There is however a bigger prize at stake Win or lose on Sunday, Djokovic is the favorite to overtake Nadal and Roger Federer on the road by racking up the most trophies across the four Grand Slams Together they have 56 majors, including 20 owned by Federer, 39, who is out of combat, 19 of them Nadal, and 17 owned by Djokovic, who is a year younger than his active rival
But this is all history, past, present and future What matters is the final at the end of a bizarre and important tournament that would not have taken place at all during the coronavirus pandemic without the determination of the FFT, desperate for money in its beautiful and expensive renovated environment
In front of the daily elite of 1,000 spectators admitted as if it were a royal banquet at Versailles, Nadal and Djokovic worked their way to the most likely conclusion There will be five bloody sets – and Nadal will be champion again
Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Djokovic, Tsitsipas, Diego Schwartzman
World news – UA – Djokovic’s gift to destabilize threatens Rafael Nadal’s kingdom
