Rafael Nadal (Photo : NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal could win a 10th French Open title in Paris later this month, according to several tennis experts and former players.
Nadal heads into the French Open with a boost of confidence from his somewhat successful stints in the clay-season. While he ended his pre-French Open warm-up in disappointing fashion after losing to Novak Djokovic in the semifinal round of the Italian Open last week, Nadal is still considered a top favorite to win on the red-clay courts of Roland Garros, according to experts and former tennis greats.
ATP strategist Craig O'Shannessy believes Nadal is building the right momentum as the Spaniard approaches the second Grand Slam event of the year, despite losses to Djokovic and Andy Murray in the past two clay-tournaments Nadal played.
"This guy is a different deal," O'Shannessy said, reports ESPN. "I've analyzed all of his French Open victories. If you go from Monte Carlo, it's his ability to repel the opponent on the biggest point. He just turns into Superman by the time he gets to Roland Garros."
Australian tennis great Rod Laver also tipped Nadal to be one of the favorites at the clay-season finale in Paris later this month. The 11-time major winner is intrigued by the chances of Nadal meeting Djokovic in the final round of the French Open, with Laver predicting the Mallorcan to be victorious.
"The way Nadal is playing right now, that's going to be interesting if Nadal and Djokovic meet in the French semifinal or final," Laver told ESPN. "For me, I would think if they play at same level and get to one of the last matches, I would think Nadal might be the one to win."
Chris Evert, a former WTA world No. 1 and an 18-time Grand Slam winner, thinks it would be "tremendous" for Nadal to win a 10th title at the French Open and improve a staggering match record of 70 wins and 2 losses at the major event.
However, Paul Annacone, Tennis Channel analyst and long-time coach of Pete Sampras, cautioned on Nadal's high level of play at his age, which could be a factor to not play well at Roland Garros.
"My big concern for Rafa is this: As you get older, it's very difficult to sustain an unbelievably high level for a long time," Annacone said. "That's how Rafa has always gained confidence -- win Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome. At [almost] 30, that's hard not to take something out of the fuel tank.
"For Rafa, it's a matter of sustaining confidence, but not playing too much that he depletes the reserve."
Nadal admitted he is on a "positive path" heading into the French Open after reigniting his career in the clay-season, showing glimpses of his vintage form that earned him 14-Grand Slam titles. Entering the tournament as the fifth seed, Nadal could meet No. 2 seed Murray in the semifinals and top seed Djokovic in the final round, if the three of them get past their opponents in the early rounds.
But while Nadal dominated the game in the clay-season, his matchup against Djokovic and Murray in the past weeks suggests the Spaniard still has a tough road towards claiming his first major title since the French Open in 2014.
