Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic head into the French Open with good spirits despite failing to win at the Italian Open in Rome.
With the second Grand Slam event of the year approaching, Nadal and Djokovic will once again have the chance to renew their on-court rivalry. Both players have come off a remarkable run in the tournaments leading up to the French Open, although their trip in the Italian capital did not turn out well. Nevertheless, Nadal and Djokovic are confident about their chances at the clay-season finale in Paris, which kick starts on May 22.
Nadal has started his preparations for the French Open less than a week before the ATP major event begins. The 29-year-old Mallorcan posted a photo of himself on Twitter practicing on the red dirt of Stade Roland Garros in Paris.
After winning back-to-back titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, Nadal fell short in dominating events on his favorite surface following losses in Madrid and Rome. His latest setback came in Rome, where the "King of Clay" lost to Djokovic in the quarterfinal round 7-5 7-6(4). But despite recording his seventh-straight loss against the world No. 1, Nadal gets a confidence boost just in time for the French Open battle.
"I'm not disappointed. I was competing at the highest level against the best player. Playing a match like this gives me confidence," Nadal said. "I'm happy to be part of this rivalry. We'll talk about this when we finish our career, hopefully a long time from now."
But Nadal is not the only one who gained confidence ahead of Roland Garros in the same manner. Djokovic, who is in pursuit of his first French Open glory, is also poised to compete in the French capital despite losing in the final round of the Italian Open against Andy Murray.
''My confidence level is high because of the matches - many matches - that I have won this year, on (red clay) and all the other surfaces," Djokovic said.
''I don't feel that I'm doubtful or I'm shaken up by this loss. Of course, you don't like to lose. I move on to Paris knowing that I'm going to approach it, hopefully, healthy and refreshed.''
Many still tip Djokovic as the prohibitive favorite at the French Open, considering the Serb's impressive performance in the past two seasons. The loss to Murray may have put another name in the list of choices to win the event, but Djokovic has a more realistic chance for a French Open glory this year.
For Djokovic, there is plenty of things at stake in winning the French Open. Not only could the Belgrade native win his first ever title at Roland Garros, but Djokovic could also win a fourth-straight Grand Slam title, something his rivals Roger Federer and Nadal have not achieved in the past years.
Meanwhile, a win for Nadal would cement his legacy as the greatest tennis player to ever compete on clay-court tournaments. But ultimately, winning a 10th French Open title would be monumental for Nadal's relentless bid to regain his old form.