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!
Sosa you are entitled to your opinion on Rafa and his uncle and that’s fine , but what you said previously was wrong on ever level. We all want Rafa back to his winning ways , and maybe uncle Tony doesn’t always go about thisngs the right way ,but that’s Rafa’s choice to make not ours, and there’s no doubting that they are a loving family aand look out for each other.And to be honest 99.9 of the coaches would have to be sacked if their only aim was to beat Novak , as they are all failing on that score.
Sosa, I have no problem with the education world and I am no bully , you seem to like to dish out some really vile comments and when you get called out on it you throw the bullying word around. How can you justify telling somebody to kill themselves . You should know better . That said let’s get back to the main reason we are on here to comment on the tennis as Chandelle has stated
I get mad whenever Rafa is beaten up by Novak. Any decent coach would have resigned after failing to come up with a game plan to defeat Novak after so many years. Rafa is a very talented and deserves to have a good coach. Uncle Toni is responsible for implanting fear and sense of inadequacy in Rafa by keep telling him that he’s not been good enough. His reverse psychology was a very bad idea from the get to go. No any sensible wise man plays with the other’s psych like that let’s alone to his own nephew and please don’t start with his 14GS. Rafa punished his body by playing a physical and defensive game. He could win 4-5 more GS if he had a good coach.
So glad you brought that up. Good topic of discussion and I hope others here will contribute.
I was upset for Rafa when I learned that Uncle Toni raised him to believe that other players were better than him. I could only believe that maybe it worked for Rafa. As it stands now, I have serious doubts.
Toni has also stated that Federer and Djokovic are better than Rafa. I can’t imagine how that must have made Rafa feel. Toni could have said something like Rafa has suffered so many injuries which kept him from playing, etc., so there’s no comparison.
His style of play is so demanding on the body that tennis reporters were asking years ago how long could Rafa last. I hope he can stay healthy to keep playing at a high level.
As much as I want Rafa to win, I never blame his opponent for his loss. Whenever Roger used to beat him I would rant and rave for a few minutes then I’d be fine. Now when he loses I just check his schedule to see where he is playing next, and hope for the best.
RAFA ROCKS
Margo – i can see that u tried. Thanks. Sosa – if we just talk tennis, im sure that will relax us all
Gosh sosa. You must chill. As to the bullying, arent you the one who started on margo? Some of us are on here to speak to other rafa fans – not to get personal. And as a highly educated person, im sure you can acknowledge and fully appreciate that
And I triple that. As Chantelle said, and as I discussed earlier today, we are here to talk chat with other Rafa fans.
What happens here is that you show a lack of respect in your comments. Or are your comments failed attempts at humor?
You have to remember that no one here is communicating face-to-face, we can only go by what we read. There are no voice inflections, smiles, or laughs to accompany the texts.
Just think twice before hitting the send button.
As far as I’m concerned, I would rather be discussing Rafa with Maria, Teresa and Chantelle instead of explaining the meaning of respect to you.
RAFA 4 EVER
Chantelle
Yes I’m very educated but I’m not afraid of bullies in this site. I said about the education in a response to an idiot comment accusing me of being illiterate. it was few months ago.Apparently Maria has problem with the education word. she’s brought it up few time since then.
Margo is the other name for Fanlove. I stand by my words.
Chantelle, I just read LaPoo’s comment to you. I tried. (Please see my comment.) He’s hopeless. I’m just going to continue to ignore him. Now he’s “analyzing” Maria. As far as I am concerned it/he/she doesn’t exist.
RAFA IS #1TO ME
I just realized what LaPoo is doing. It’s called the “divide and conquer” strategy. He bad mouths Maria, accuses me of being someone else, and now he’s being oh so reasonable/nice to you. He really believes he’s smart.
RAFA ROCKS
Technically June but what’s a few weeks . I’m guessing Rafa and Novak are due to play on Tuesday
Would they have players playing late into the night to keep the tournament on schedule?
RAFA ROCKS TO THE TUNE OF CLAY
What a washout day one of the FO has been and Mondays weather is not looking any better . It’s supposed to be summer for god sake
Maria – it’s a shame that one has to make known to all the fact that one is educated to a certain level. It probably means the opposite quite frankly. Especially if that person is advocating death etc. Clearly has cognitive deficits!
Did I feed Maria and fellow gangs (Margo, Chantelle, etc) with stuff for bitching? seems I did. gang mentality in full bloom. bullying, deleting the comments of anyone with different opinion, roaming around speaking nonsense. seriously get a life.
Rafa will win it!! Novak will be learning to speak French desperately wanting to impress the
fans and dealing with his own pressures that comes with the media hype and expectations!!!
Good luck Rafa all your fans want to see you biting that trophy for the tenth time.
Yep. Anyone but Novak. As others have said – he is just not likeable. I’m glad it’s not just me – I have tried to see the ‘fun’ side of him and the respect he has paid Rafa. I really don’t believe it’s because of his success – his personality is dodgy. Someone mentioned on here about Novak fans and how nasty they are – I’ve been alarmed at some of the venom they spew out. He really seems to attract some fanatical degenerates.
Chandelle I think it said more about her mentality than anything else , if that’s what being well educated is I suggest it should be avoided like the plague
Maria, there was another one here who also claimed to be “well educated.” That phrase made me think about the knucklehead who also accused me (while using incorrect terminology) of having different “profiles.” I ignored the twit.
Could that one and Sosa be the same? You get my synapses electrified. LOL
As always, I enjoy reading the comments of Rafa fans. On the question of Rafa’s recent draws, we need to remind ourselves that Rafa is no longer one or two. The top players get more favorable draws. Novak, as number one, gets the most favorable ones. When the Fed v Rafa rivalry was key, Rafa never had to worry about playing Roger unless he reached the finals. I think Rafa fans should respect all the players including Novak. Novak was never my favorite, but he is a great player. Sadly, I am more angered at the Novak fans who say the most terrible things about Rafa, especially last year. Novak is the favorite at RG, but he has a tough draw after the QFs. Let’s stay positive and send good thoughts to Rafa. The rain continues in Paris.
Fantasfic comments!!!!
Why should tony nadal top himself? Doubt that wld do rafa any good at all. In fact that wld be the end of his career. What a curious thing to suggest!
I’m with you there Chandelle, I have tried to like him and even felt a bit sorry for him after Stan won last year, but he’s just not likeable. Margo you know I said about the few undesirables on this site ,well one has just appeared Sosa laforge who proclaimed she was a well educated lady ,and then on this site a few weeks back said that Uncle Tony should go and commit suicide ( not sure how that was not deleted). I guess after that comment we should be thankful that she’s telling you to get one
LOL I saw that. Chose to ignore. They pick on me because you strike fear in their hearts. LOL
I remember that comment about Uncle Toni. Yes, it should have been deleted or the poster banned.
When Stan won the FO I was happy for him. Sympathy for the loser? Not a chance. I just felt happy for the Stanimal (what a nickname).
RAFA ROCKS
I could never feel sorry for Novak Djokovic. The only player I felt sorry for recently was Monfils at the Monte Carlo final. I thought for the first time ‘Rafa, you greedy b******* :)))
I’m so glad i’ll be at work when novak walks out for his 1st match. I wont witness that false smarmy smirk on his stupid face. I dont care who takes him out but i pray and hope someone does as i cant bear the thought of him lifting that trophy. Can u imagine how unbearingly cocky he would become (and he’s arrogant enough now) if he wins?
I’ll ditto that!
Why I think Margo is the same as FANLOVE? Seriously get a life Margo.
Translated from Spanish interview 16/5. Firstly, Rafa is asked about the anxiety issue. He explains he had difficulty controlling his breathing both at practice and in competition. Fortunately, this hasn’t happened for several months now, which for him is the most important thing for, at least, feeling happy on court. He doesn’t have the nerves he had last season.
I can’t help thinking his retirement in Miami was because of an impending anxiety/panic attack.
Well,what’s make me angry is all this 2-3years(I think he was not himself after lost to Stan at AO)…he and his team were so conservative,they didn’t look and ask for professional help( psychologist,therapist to help him with this panic attacks)!!! It’s cost Rafa 3years struggle and lost opportunities!(Djokovich and Murry admited in interviews they had psychologist at some point when they need it!)
Really hope he is fine now,he looks happy!
Rafa lost the AO to Stan while playing with severe back pain and still came out as the runner up.
He went on to win the FO.
I don’t know about you, but most would not have done anything as remarkable as Rafa with a bad back, appendicitis and a wrist problem.
Cut the champ some slack.
Yes Teresa, he has talked about a lack of control over his breathing, which in turn affected his timing. I have to take him at his word that he is not experiencing those anxious moments any longer. I honestly thought it was the heat so, panic attack never entered my mind. Say it ain’t so.
According to Francis Roig (a coach who has worked with him for years) stated that Rafa has been working on his court positioning. “Rafa determined that a refined approach to court positioning was the key to confidence in his forehand.” It looks as if Rafa is calling the shots. Roig went so far to say that it was “…. a little bit his obsession.”
May he play with joy and confidence.
RAFA ROCKS
I’m afraid anxiety attacks are the only things that add up. Not being able to control breathing is a classic symptom – hyperventilating. I know it may sound strange to some people but he expresses it the way other sufferers express it – as a thing that happens outside of himself. He was having his blood pressure etc checked in Miami – this is how people feel as though there is something physiologically wrong – usually the heart. I’m not sure anyone could mistake a stomach virus with these sort of symptoms. The problem is the fear is as bad as the attacks themselves. Conversely over-exercising has been known to bring them on. The fact that he is so honest and open about it perhaps means he hasn’t been adverse to any help.
Vamos Rafa – you are loved!
Thanks Maria.
Teresaa, I was thinking heat because I’ve become dizzy on occasion when humidity+heat were so oppressive I became dizzy. He did say he was experiencing dizziness so I would imagine knowing his blood pressure would be important.
However, your explanation perfectly describes what an anxiety attack may be like for someone. I was hoping for heat.
I wonder if he’s tried Yoga.
He says in his autobiography he has tried yoga. Whether he still does I don’t know. Interestingly, meditation and yoga in the UK is now a recognised treatment for many mental health disorders.
And the U.S. is now offering it in schools.
I don’t know if it covered in health plans but it should be.
From what I saw, Rafa was sick to his stomach in Miami. As you recall, Roger withdrew due to a stomach ailment as did other players. The word was that it was spreading among the players. I tried to take the high road and that it helped Rafa win MC. Novak was exhausted when he reached it and lost his first match. I was concerned that Rafa had stomach issues in both of his matches in South America. The humidity bothered him, but I do not recall it bothering him before.
Oh no , it looks like the weather in Paris is as dismal as it is in England , only 75 minutes in and the rain is coming down. I hope it’s not going to be 2 weeks of rain delays for the players ours. How frustrating.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm…………….
I am not and never will be surprised to see Rafa get the toughest draws, I often wonder if I was one of the very few who ever noticed it. The commentators don’t even mention it when it happens and it has been happening for a very long time. I have been watching older matches and have noticed that even in the ATP matches this has been happening. When it comes down to the last eight players Rafa will be one of two players to have a seeded player on the other side of the net and of course that player will have to play Rafa, the other seeded player. Federer and Djokovic will usually have players of lesser ranks and obviously, the other four will be playing oponents who are’t seeded. The red carpet has been rolled out for Federer a long time ago while Djokovic and Murray had to face Rafa while he played the toughest ones like Muller, Verdasco, Youzny, and others. Federer played the ones of lesser consequence, he would always win in three easy sets and walk off the court without even breaking a sweat, that is until he reaches the quarter final and has to put out some energy then he could hardly make it. In contrast Rafa has to play long and hard and even though he might win in three sets he spends more time on the court having to play longer and harder. I have noticed that the same ones who Rafa had to play in earlier tournaments are now facing Federer and Djokovic because they are older and do not play like before, they go down much easier so they are removed from Rafa’s draw. The plot is against Rafa, the question that has been asked for a while now is not if Rafa will reach Federer in grand slam wins, nor if Djokovic will reach Rafa but if Djokovic will reach Federer, Rafa is completely left out of it all. Rafa has had to work hard over the years and after the surgery needed time to regain his strength. He has had to replinish his proteins to strengthen his muscles, since there is always loss of blood during surgery. He also had to be somewhat cautious with the wrist and so his confidence suffered but he is gradually regaining his strength and confidence and will be back at the top of his game soon, if not now. He is the best ever because when he wins he does so without any assistance from any officials and so when he loses there is no disappoint in his lose because we know for a fact that he has given his because. I applause Rafa and greatly appreciate him, he made me love tennis the way I do but because of the was things are done I am beginning to lose interest because like in so many other competitions, the winners never win.
Hi,I made couple comments similar with yours,but nobody answer. ..so I was happy to see someone thinking like me! Before the draw,I made comment ” Don’t worry, Rafa for sure will get the thoughest draw possible. That’s the way french show their” love “to Rafa.” Lol
He ALWAYS getting the thoughest draw,not only this…he got everyone he is difficult to play with….big servers,players who beat him before or he plays difficult with them. They make sure everyone is there,no exceptions!I know most of people will say…Oooh,but it’s a Draw! Well,I believe it’s a plot against Rafa like you.Good to see someone else thinking out of the box too.Nice to meet you!
The only proper answer Rafa can give to them is WIN YOUR 10TH RG!
VAMOS
Such a Good analogy Airline… You really hit on the nail on the head… All the negativity really doesn’t accomplish anything! Rafa did get a very tough draw and Novak was rolled out the red carpet. We will just have to watch and see! May the best man win ( of course that is Rafa for me) Love love love, Rafa win or lose … You are already the G.O.A.T in my eyes … VAMOS !
Totally agree , counting down the hours now for the best grand slam of the year to begin . Goodluck Rafa ,let the games begin
Just enjoy the phenom that is Rafael at the French Open. Rant or rave-he does not need to prove anything to anyone. The passion for the game is what is motivating him-so revel in it. Win or lose, the run has been remarkable. There is no better ambassador for the sport. Together with Roger Federer, they are far beyond and above anyone else in their era in terms of accomplishment and class. As spectators we are always greedy for one more win, but remember how young they were when they broke through with their first slams. Honour their achievements as they deserve our respect.
Hmmnn.. well said, canaDiana. Welll said.
But as always, we’ll see…….Like the very pretty Maria said, ”Let the games begin”