Rafael Nadal is going for a tenth title at Roland Garros. In the open era, no player — man or woman — has ever won ten trophies at a single Grand Slam event. Let’s see will Rafa make history in Paris again!
The Roland Garros draw is out. Rafa will play in the first round against Australian Sam Groth.
Our champion, who has a 70-2 record on Parisian clay courts, was drawn in the same quarter as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and the same half as Novak Djokovic. His potential final opponents include Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka.
Rafa’s possible obstacle course to La Decima:
- Round 1: Sam Groth
- Round 2: Facundo Bagins
- Round 3: Fabio Fognini
- Round 4: Dominic Thiem
- Quarter Final: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
- Semi Final: Novak Djokovic
- Final: Andy Murray
Roland Garros 2016 projected men’s singles quarterfinals:
- Djokovic vs Berdych
- Nadal vs Tsonga
- Wawrinka vs Raonic
- Murray vs Nishikori
Rafa is 15-2 on clay in Europe this year, winning titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Despite he lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals in Rome in two close sets, he played his best match on any surface since winning the French Open in 2014.
All the best of luck in the world to you, Rafa!
Margo , yep Rafa is more than just tennis that’s why he adored by many. Most on this site are genuine but you do get a few undesirables which are best ignored ,as for Dr Who or whatever his current name is, he just winding up . I’m guessing the FO is televised in the early hours in America as it’s 9.30 in the UK
Yes, NY is now six hours behind Paris.
Haha, let’s have a fight about who is more excited about the FO. I AM TOTALLY HYPED.
I hope his opponents drop like flies and he is the last man standing.
RAFA GET YOUR GAME ON
Hmmmmmmmmmm………
Margo I can’t wait to see what names he comes up with this week ,I can only think he has way to much time on his hands
What I truly don’t understand is why anyone would come to a fan site simply to be obnoxious, mean and hateful.
Were it not for people like you and (geez, can’t remember her name) I would have been out of here the first week I arrived. Wasn’t even aware of this site but then again had no desire to be on a fan site. Been a Rafa fan for about 10 years. Not even a real tennis fan. First time I saw him play I could not believe what I was seeing; his speed, his accuracy, his dogged chase of every ball. UNBELIEVABLE!!! His genuine humility and honesty won my heart.
RAFA YOU ARE FABULOSO
Elizabeth Howard, you mean?
But as always, we’ll see…………..Hmmmmmmmmmmm…………
Counting down the hours now to the start of the FO , can’t wait to see Rafa claim his 10th title at Roland Garros . It will be very interesting to see what Novak we get this week Mr calm and arrogant or Mr melt down ,it doesn’t seem possible that Novak and Rafa are the same star sign. Dr who glad to see you know more than two letters hmmmmmm ,but why don’t you get in your little old Tardis with your alter egos and transport yourself onto another site, maybe Novak’s ,you could wish him a happy birthday for tomorrow hmmmmm
Maria, I can always count on you for a good laugh. “Two letters”….”Tardis”…. hilarious.
RAFA ROCKS
Very hilariously funny, Margo. Very funny!!!! I’m actually laughing in French.
You can trust the highly cerebral DR. WHO (a renowned Doctor of many things) to hit back back at Mariia at the most opportune time!!! DR. WHO always has the last word.
Didn’t James Hardley Chase say”The Vulture is a Patient bird”
But as always, we”ll see………….
Ha, ha, haaaaa!!!’ve laughed so much that I’ve 4gotten my name, Oh Maria, you’re so impossible really!! ”Who can solve a problem like Ma-riaaa?? (Sound of Music).
You’re so funny, naturally and unaffectedly funny! Love you so much for that.
I’m actually the greatest fan of Rafa, but because I also criticise him so much, most believe I hate him. How so wrong can they be???
But I’ll continue to uphold the truth and nothing but the truth. That’s the only way that the best Nadal can (quickly) resurrect.
But as always, we’ll see……..Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………..
Andy, you got a sweet draw. In your quarter there are 5 qualifiers, two tall slow moving dudes, and erratic Donald Young. You most probably will be well rested for your QF.
Rafa, you were handed a Fognini and a Thiem in your quarter. Take them down in three, Baby. Tu puedes hacerlo.
RAFA ROCKS
I think Rafa has a good chance against Novak ,Rafa is playing much better this year,and I notice everyone is catching up with Novak,some very close matches,I think Novac is weakening, maybe his reign as No 1 is coming to an end.? he has to go down sometime.
Good luck Rafa !
I agree with you about Rafa’s chances at RG. Yes, he is playing better and I hope he plays even better in the next two weeks.
There is a lot of pressure on the #1, not only from his fans, the media, et al., but on himself as well. As he wins matches, the pressure will only be heightened. I am curious to see how he does under this EXTREME pressure. The self inflicted ankle injury (vs Nishikori) and an argument with the umpire (vs Murray) at Rome may be an indication of worse to come.
RAFA WILL WIN HIS DECIMA
Not so fast there Margo, not so fast!
The highly professional DR. WHO, a renowned, PHD holder in Mathematical and Statistical Probabilities with an affiliate Advanced Diploma in Human Kinesis and Psychomotor reactions, I am capable of giving you 10 reasons why Rafa Nadal just may not win the La Decima!!!
So, take it easy there boy. Not so fast.
But, we’ll see………Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………..
ROF LMAO
Ooooh pleeze Dr……U R soooo silly and luna-tickeee. Stay off the booze, weed and methamphetamine.
I stand by my Rafa, KING OF CLAY!!!
RAFA ROCKS
let’s see
a very best luck for the tournament to rafa
stay healthy…….stay calm
vamos rafa
I don’t understand that some people are really “optimistic” about beating Djokovic??
He is current world number 1 and Rafa has lost 7 times in streak.
For a moment i really thought that Rafa could beat Novak in Rome. Slow surface, closet condition to French Open, and a “weakest” Novak who got bageled by Belluci, one set by Kei and finally beaten by Andy. But Rafa can’t even manage to beat him just once set.
What makes you guys think that he will beat Novak in a best of five???
Remember last year guys, be a little bit realistic!
Rafa is lacking of game plan to face Novak from times to times since US Open 2013.
The only way to beat Novak is to be unpredictable. Whenever Rafa mixs the shots, down the line and cross-court , he can still cause DAMAGE to Novak. So when he is feeling good with his down the line shots (backhand and forehand) , Rafa gets the chance. But it’s 50-50 to play like that. In Rome 2016, Rafa did mix the shots very well at the beginning of the sets. He got the early break but eventually got broken back. Rafa is just getting aged and couldn’t maintain his “feeling” of shot. If Toni keeps failing in finding a good game plan to counter Djokovic backhand, Rafa will lengthen the losing streak for sure. So sad but that is true.
In a best of five, Novak is still the favourite.
god bless u the great sir
DMTNA – sadly I agree with most of what you have said. I think Boris and Novak made Rafa game their priority hence he has the ‘key’ to Rafa perhaps more than other players (I notice Boris has been studying Rafa’s recent matches). Rafa has said that he finds it difficult to change his style and that ultimately no matter what changes player’s make they still retain a particular style – it either works or it doesn’t. That said Novak said the Rafa match was particularly tough ‘it felt like 4 sets’.
Hey Teresa, welcome back.
When I heard Djokovic admit that his match vs Rafa felt like 5, I was elated in the knowledge that the match most likely put a lot of doubt in Nole’s chances of winning. And that was only a best of 3 match. Do you think Nole will be able to withstand the pressure if he faces Nadal?
Rafa doesn’t need to change all of his style. He just needs a new professional to his camp. New game plan to counter Djokovic. Toni seems to be run out of idea against Novak. The losing streak started at 2014 and now it’s 2016 and Rafa still finds extremely difficult to deal with Djokovic’s backhand.
Toni said one time that if Rafa ends winning French Open, a new coach will come. I don’t want that to be true but if that happens, oh well…
Well,I made a comment one week before the draw that the french will give Rafa the toughest draw to show their “love”to him…
Lol..I know it’s A DRAW…but Rafa ALWAYS got the toughest draw there,even when he was #1,so I don’t believe in coincidence!
They want everyone else to win…just not Rafa and will do everything possible to do so. They will cheer up for all his oponents and can you immagine their reaction when/ if he plays Tsonga?! Anyway it will be tough. No questions about.
But….the biggest the challenge the better Rafa plays. So if he get into the second week I will not worry about him anymore. He will be on a roll!
With easy draw players are more difficult to get in rytham…so when the big challenge appears. ..you never know!
Rafa can do it! Vamos and stay healthy. Dissable your panic button on important points and remember who you are!
On paper Rafa you are ahead of Fognini, Thiem and Tsonga:
vs Fognini 7*-3 overall
Clay-Rafa 4 (most recently at Barcelona 2016)
Fognini 2
vs Thiem 2*1 overall
On clay 1 each (most recently Rafa beat him at Monte Carlo) 7-5, 6-3
Thiem won at Buenos Aires (bad loss for Nadal)
vs Tsonga 8*-4 overall
Rafa beat JW on clay 2013 Monte Carlo semifinal, all other games on hard court or grass.
*Nadal
YOU’RE ROCKIN RAFA
On paper………………..hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…
Hi Margo, I think the Joker is as accustomed to playing long matches under pressure as anyone. He is still riding high on success. He has arrogantly suggested he knows how to deal with Rafa. Some suggest there may be a few more doubts in his mind but this will make him all the more determined. I’m not sure he is ready to buckle just yet. He wants this one badly!
That’s a ridiculously easy draw for Djoker. just give him the trophy already. freaking french.
YIKES!!!!
RAFA ROCKS
But can the Djoker take it in the face of a much improved Rafa Nadal?????
The answer is blowing in the wind.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……………….
Thumbs down! He will implode.
RAFA ROCKS
It is rafa who will be feared at rg! Not even the fool that is novak will be comfortable meeting him there in his current form, never mind the fact he’s won it 9 times. Plus novak will most definitely be feeling so much pressure, he might lose the plot completely. We all saw how idiotic he was in rome. No-one will want to play rafa and i only hope he can relax and enjoy it
It doesn’t make sense to comment negatively about Rafa’s opponents. It wouldn’t be in keeping with Rafa’s sterling qualities of fairness and the work he puts into his tennis. He would never have won NINE ROLAND GARROS TITLES by being anyone other than a SUPER STAR in every sense of the word. It is with consummate sincerity and hope that I wish Rafa to WIN HIS TENTH battle royale on the Roland Garros clay!!!! VAMOS RAFA!!!!
Rafa, what’s new! You always get a tough draw! Show them in France what you are made of. You can do this and prove to yourself how awesome you are! Go get them champ!!
Es increible que a Novak le toquen los mas faciles, no entiendo y a Nadal increiblemente los mas dificiles, asi cualquiera gana , yo tengo fe que nuestro champion ganara esta batalla. Mucha suerte para ti mi querido Nadal, Vamos Rafa
Perdoname porque mi español no es muy bueno.
Yo no creo que Rafa lo toquen los más difíciles. Ya Rafa ganó contra Andy, Nole, Thiem, Fognini, y Tsonga. Yo creo con todo mi corazón que el puede ganar otra vez. Y si Rafa tiene luchar Nole yo creo que Nole va perder. Rolando Garros apartiene a Rafa. Sonrisa por Rafa.
RAFA ROCKS
Yo Rafa, no worries baby. Just smoke anyone who stands in your way and win this cup, Easy Peasy! Djoker who? Murray who? You stand taller than anybody else at this place! Simply remember who you are, and stop dumping those forehands into the net. That is all. Enjoy the pain, you sadist!
Groth is a tricky opening match for Rafa, who has a big serve.
Also Nadal has always been on Murray’s side of the draw in Grand Slams, so they’ve never met in a GS Final.
Unbelievable draw but we know it’s possible our Champ can and will win.
Vamos, Rafa!!
Noles draw is a cake walk. Its ridiculous. Rafa is tough? What about Andy? karnovic, Isner, Kei and Stan. However, Karlovic and Stan may not make it to meet Andy. Rafa draw looks tough on paper but other than Theim, Rafa will win all these guys the way he is playing now. Theim can be tricky, but in a best of 5, Rafa will win. Fab.. who knows which fab will show up.. but best of 5 on clay, Rafa should prevail on current form. Where does Kyrgios play? He may be a factor in RG. On the positive side.. If Rafa rolls thru this draw.. he will be a beast for Nole who will be under cooked after rolling thru his candy draw.
The French are never kinds to Rafa..
They want Nole to win..
This draft is a joke but Rafa will show them.
We know that he can win!!
Thats not true. I suppose you know it was a draw and no one is conspiring against Rafa.
You are an amazing tennis player Rafael Nadal 🏆🇪🇸🎾⭐️
I think Andy Murray has the toughest draw! He is in his best form, but his opponents, like Stan, Kei, Karlovic, Isner, one of them can beat Murray. Although Rafa is playing on his favorite surface and he is playing fabulous tennis again,Thiem can be a threat to Rafa! Tjonga is a good player, but in five sets he will never defeat Rafa! I have trust in our champ, he has still to improve a few things, but he will feel the magic again in Paris and also feel confident that he can win the title for the 10th time! Vamos Rafa, We believe you can do it!