Nadal with a lot of self-confidence in the French Open

Rafael Nadal’s preparations for the French Open in Paris are going according to his taste. In any case, the 34-year-old Spaniard gained confidence after beating Novak Djokovic in the Rome final by three sets for his attempt to win his 21st Grand Slam title in Paris.

“I think I got a lot better during the week, but I have to keep going.” Nadal said after his tenth title at Foro Italico, “If you keep getting better every day, you will feel more confident and secure.” In any case, he knows what he will have to work on in the next two weeks.

For another tennis star, the French Open is just a stopover on the way to Wimbledon. For Roger Federer, the “sacred garden” in London is the top priority. “It sounds strange, but it is so.” Federer said on Monday in Geneva: “I would say that Paris is my great goal, but I haven’t gotten there yet.”

In the clay court tournament there, the 39-year-old Swiss returns to the ATP tour after a hiatus of more than two months. Most recently, Federer celebrated his return to the championship in Doha in March after a break of more than a year due to two knee operations. There, the winner was eliminated 20 times in the Grand Slam in the second round. He then retired and continued to work on fitness during training.

Federer’s big goal was Wimbledon again in 2021, as he celebrated eight of his 20 Grand Slam titles. “I hope to be ready for the start of the grass season and then be able to achieve my goals there,” said the world number one long ago.

He is quiet about the good form of his rivals, Novak Djokovic (SRB) and Nadal. “It’s about me, not being on par with Rafa and Novak,” Federer said. This is not realistic at this time. I would be happy if I could play a few matches in Geneva and Paris. Federer, who will start with a farewell in Geneva, said, “For me, it’s about getting fitness matches, and finding a little bit of rhythm.” The French Open will start a week later this year on May 30 (until June 13), and two weeks later the All England Tennis Championships will begin on Church Road.

(APA / Reuters / DPA)

Article image: Imago