ARTICLES:

• Why I want Rafa to win on Sunday… (via Roland Garros)

The greatness of an extraordinary player takes nothing away from his opponents, be they past, present or future. So yes, Rafa, we would very much love to see you bite into the Coupe des Mousquetaires like a hungry schoolboy once again. Because we love you Rafa. It’s as simple as that.

• Roland Garros Final Preview (via ATP World Tour)

Djokovic has won eight of nine sets against Nadal since their battle at the 2013 US Open, but Nadal owns a 13-4 clay-court record against the Serb and leads the overall FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 22-19.

• Brain Game: 10 Keys To Nadal-Djokovic Final (via ATP World Tour)

The physical toll will surely be exhausting but it will be the mental contest filled with strategic moves and countermoves that will be the key to determining this year’s champion.

• Un pulso para toda la vida (via El Pais)

Nadal, de 28 años, domina 22-19 a Djokovic, de 27, en el cara a cara. Ha perdido los últimos cuatro precedentes. Siempre se ha impuesto cuando han jugado en París (5-0). Los datos, sin embargo, ya no cuentan. Son pasado. Lo que pesa mañana es el talento y el corazón, la raqueta y la estrategia, el alma, el sudor y cada gota de pasión competitiva.

• Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic set for French Open final (via BBC)

John McEnroe: “I think Nadal is the favourite. There’s no doubt in my mind when you’ve won it eight times and you’re still out there playing as well as he is for the most part. I think that Nadal is just chomping at the bit in a way, just waiting to get to this match.”

• Nadal on Nadal (via Roland Garros)

“When I get a message from the king when I play a tournament, it’s a huge pleasure for me feeling supported by the leader of our country, and a king who was so much admired everywhere in the world.” – On the abdication of King Juan Carlos of Spain.

• 2014 French Open Men’s Final: Our Picks (via tennis.com)
• Borg: ”I’ll just sit back and enjoy the final” (via Roland Garros)

Right now, Rafa is playing his best tennis, he is moving so well. In the earlier tournaments, he was struggling a bit, although we shouldn’t get carried away, but he was struggling a bit with his movement during the run-up to the French Open. But just look at his last two sets against Ferrer. It was very impressive.

• Nadal still with something to prove (via Roland Garros)

For both Nadal and his uncle, there is no doubt that the favourite this year is Novak Djokovic. “It’s because he’s very, very strong,” says Toni Nadal. “We would have preferred to have someone else in the final. I can’t even remember the last time Rafa beat him.”

• Novak & Rafa: The Rivalry (via ATP World Tour)
• 2014 Halle Draw: Rafael Nadal And Roger Federer Could Meet In Final

PHOTOS:

• French Open semifinals (via SI.com)

VIDEOS:

• Roland Garros 2014 – In Rafael Nadal’s footsteps
• Amazing rally between Nadal and Murray  (via Eurosport)
• Nadal: This was my best match so far (via Eurosport)
• Ninth French Open final for Nadal (via Eurosport)
• Nadal hammers Murray to reach final (via Eurosport)
• Who is the mysterious Allen Farada? (via RG)
• Toni Nadal : “Son meilleur match à Paris”
• Rafael Nadal is the best active athlete alive (via Daily Win)
• Final de Roland Garros Nadal vs Djokovic
• Nadal Bends a Forehand Using Magical Powers (via Tennis Now)
• Andy Murray chooses Rafael Nadal for World Cup

REMINDER: Roland Garros 2014 Final: What time does Rafael Nadal play against Novak Djokovic?