World No. 3 Rafael Nadal will open his French Open campaign against big-hitting Aussie Alexei Popyrin on Tuesday afternoon. They met for the first time at the Madrid Masters this year, with our champ winning 6-3 6-3 on the red clay.
Date: June 1, 2021
Match time: Not before 4 PM local time / 10 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 3 PM BST – United Kingdom / 4 PM CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / midnight AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Record at RG: 100-2 (champion 2005-2008, 2010-2014, 2017-2020)
Record in 2021: 18-3, 2 titles
Clay record in 2021: 14-2
Titles won on clay: 62
Rafa has lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires 13 times, and he is the favourite to do so once again this year. He was victorious in Paris last October, when he bulldozed through the field without dropping a set.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Congratulations Rafa for a brilliant victory n comeback in third…Onto next One which is your Friend Richard Gasquet
Third set. Oh no. Scary. Vamos Rafa. Beast mode needed here.
Indeed… Playing ok in 3rd set
Popyrin playing out of his skin
Should have won in straight sets….Saved a set point… Fingers crossed
Come on Rafa
That’s our Champ
Saved n evened the set in style
Sorry … had to turn the channel! I still get butterflies & nervous ( is that the same thing) when Rafa gets off kilter! Call me chicken… but I have learned throughout the years that it’s less wear and tear on my nervous system!
I think it’s in all of us when we see him in this situation but he comes up with Clutch performance more often than not Ziggy
Rafa’s first match of his record breaking 100-2 wins at the FO was Lars Burgsmüller, a 29-year-old world ranked No. 96 at the time. He refused to listen to the locker room chatter [about Nadal]. Rafa was expected to win a few Slams, but not 20.
“He [Burgsmüller] tried, but he quickly sensed that playing Nadal was unlike anything he had ever experienced. He had never faced anyone with such intensity. Or anyone who hit with such devastating topspin. Or anyone better able to sprint across a clay court, slide and stay balanced, and send balls back as scorching replies.”
[Excerps from NY Times article dated 5/31/2021, The First of Nadal’s 100
Best of luck Rafa at your favorite Slam.
RAFA ROCKS
Good Luck our dear Rafa… Vamos for 1st round.Should sail through but one match at a time as always
Good Luck today Rafa….. Beautiful day in Paris for the start of your journey to raise #14….
We’re all behind you!!!
VAMOS RAFA!!!!!
Good luck for our champion!!. New Journey to the Glory!!. Please Rafa, shut up their mouths to those that are talking, talking, bla bla bla, about ‘how to defeat you’, ‘you are not the same’ (no one is after 20 years, but still truly competitive and plenty of ENERGY, POWER, PASSION). Especially those 3 retired players: Matts Vilander, Boris Becker or Ivanisevic, it is so poor and miserable…
VAMOSSSSSSS RAFA, our ‘Ranging Bull’ 🐂💪🏻💪🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻⚡💥🌊🌀🔥🐃
I may be mistaken Josue but I have always thought that Mats Wilander rather begrudges Rafa’s outstanding achievements. It is obvious that he adores Roger (Roger is of course an outstanding player) but his appreciation of Rafa’s great talents leaves much to be desired. As a professional commentator, I think he should strive to be more impartial in his observations, irrespective of his personal opinion of Rafa.
You are Right about his Comments n judgement…just look his face after final of 2014 RG
THANKYOU FOR THE IMMFO RAFA PLAYING AT 4ISH ,,CANNOT WAIT TO SEE HIM ON COURT X
All the very best rafa will be watching later on today vamos rafa xxx
Rafa good luck vamosssssss champ you can do it all the supporting from your fans all over the world 🌍 💪💪💪💪❤️❤️❤️❤️👍🇺🇸
Everything has escalated so quickly for Naomi. She has obviously taken stock on how she’s approached the whole issue and realised she could have handled things in a more concilliatory way.
I admire her openness about her emotional struggles and it’s good that she now wants to have a dialogue with the relevant tennis organisations. Writing privately apologising to French Open organisers she said “I really want to work with the Tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans. I’m gonna take some time away from the court now….”
I really hope that stepping back from the Tour for a short while will give Naomi the breathing space and opportunity to get the help and support she needs to overcome her anxiety issues. I wish her all the very best.
Buena Suerte Rafa. Straight sets and put this little upstart back in his box. Can’t wait to see you on court…Vamos 🇪🇦🇪🇦☘☘🎾🎾☘🇪🇦🇪🇦
Wishing you a straight sets win tomorrow, Rafa. Go champ! 👍🏽
Good luck to Naomi Osaka.
Good luck Rafa, all the best to you!
Naomi has just withdrawn from the tournament. She put out an explanatory statement.
As a fellow shy person I wish Naomi the very best.❤️
Great to see Roger Federer and Carla Navarro back on court👏👏All the best in first match, Rafael Nadal👏💪👍🤛🍀🎾❤️
Happy birthday Rafa
Best of luck and Vamos
Good luck and Vamos Rafa❤️