On his birthday, Rafael Nadal will play second round match at the French Open in Paris. His opponent will be world No. 53 Richard Gasquet. They have faced each other 16 times on the main tour and Rafa has won on all 16 occasions.
Rafa’s match is scheduled to begin after 9 p.m., when the government-enforced COVID-19 curfew forces organizers to ask fans to vacate the premises.
Date: June 3, 2021
Match time: Not before 9 PM local time / 3 PM EDT – New York, Montreal / 8 PM BST – United Kingdom / 9 PM CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 5 AM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
The pair’s most recent meeting came at Roland Garros in 2018 when Rafa cruised to victory for the loss of just seven games. The 20-time Major winner has also won 26 consecutive sets against his second-round opponent, with Gasquet last winning a set in 2008.
Rafa is currently on a 31-match winning streak on the Parisian clay and has dropped only three sets in this tournament since losing to Novak Djokovic in 2015.
Our champ is bidding to win his 21st Grand Slam title. A victory would break his tie with Roger Federer and make him the sole owner of the all-time record for most Grand Slam men’s singles titles.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
🔥Hey Mary Lou-I am with you. Day or night-hard top roof or convertible-undeniable collective energy…. Rafa’s mental tenacity will transcend the stadium, and your Vamos will be heard🔥
Roger is looking very fit… One thing is in the back of my mind & that is I don’t care if Rafa loses ( He can never lose at RG) But I would hate for Roger or Novak to win. If that makes sence! Listening to Roger now…boy he’s quite chatty! Jim Currier didn’t have to ask any question! Rafa & Richard playing now …Rafa is bageling his good friend!
Ps…Happy Birthday Sweet Rafa!
Vamos,birthday man. Light your candle in the dark…. ,a victory candle to great years behind and many in the future!!! No one in the stands…we are all watching all over the world!!! hear us sing
Vamos !!!!!
If there were crowds in, I’d completely understand having Rafa and Richard as the night session. As it is, it’s a bit odd – but maybe it’s for TV? It’s the prime time TV slot, because most people are going to be at work during the day. And I don’t suppose Rafa’s too fussed about his birthday.
I’m finding the scheduling a bit odd generally – with all due respect to both Nishikori and Khachanov, why were they on Chatrier when both Sascha and Stef were on Lenglen?
Amazon has the exclusive broadcasting rights in France for that ‘match of the day’ and organizers said that all top players would have to play at least one night session.
“Nadal-Gasquet is the ‘match of the day’, and we have committed to broadcasting it in prime time, especially in France,” tournament director Guy Forget said in a statement to sports daily L’Equipe on Wednesday.
“In terms of sporting fairness, we would like each of the top players to be able to play at some point in an evening session with empty stands. I have already informed some of these players.”
That makes sense – I’d thought it was probably about TV rights. Thanks!
That being the case they still could have scheduled Rafa for the night match on Monday rather than today his birthday. Inconsiderate of them.
Correction: Tuesday not Monday
I’d always prefer to see tennis outdoors and in natural light anyway, but I don’t get the point of the evening matches this week. It’s not as if there are extra matches on Chatrier and the tournament can’t sell separate tickets for them as they’re after the curfew. It’s like a short straw for the players and I hope this is the only one Rafa has to play.
I guess the fact that it’s his birthday bothers fans more than it does Rafa though – he’d probably rather be playing tennis than sat in a hotel room. Hopefully someone sends cake for Rafa and his team.
Good luck and happy birthday for tomorrow Rafa!!
Rafa good luck vamosssssss champ you can do it all the best 👍💪👍💪👍❤️💪💪💪💪❤️🇺🇸
Rafa is playing Richie ( as Rafa calls him) they know each other since they were 12 years old, Richie defeated Rafa in that age group but has never repeated that victory. Rafa always respect his opponent. Nice to be playing a childhood friend on his birthday. 🇪🇸🌟🍀
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FELLOW GEMINI …. TAKE THIS TROPHY HOME AGAIN CHAMP !!!!!!!
Day or night, Rafa will get through against Gasquet. He’ll save his birthday celebration for when he wins the title 😀
RG organisers are doing their best to ruin Rafa’s birthday. Cannot help wondering. what hidden or not so hidden agenda they have.
Wamps Rafa, you are the best
The weather forecast does say rain possible tomorrow so Chatrier has a roof. It is Rafa’s birthday too. Gasquet is French obviously so RG may want to honor him too. It is not clear how much longer he will play. The sad part is that no fans will be there for either player.
Congratulations on your birthday tomorrow and all the very best for your match vamos rafa xxx
Next up-#53 Gasquet-all the best on your 35th, Rafael Nadal🎂-light up Paris with a win🌠💖
It’s supposed to be raining tomorrow so why didn’t they just put Rafa on in the morning or early afternoon so he could spend the rest of the day with him team to celebrate his birthday!!!
Good luck and Vamos Rafa. Go for it champ.
Thanks Pauline. What a relief
2 a.m. USA central? That’s tonight.
Go Rafa!! We will be watching.
It is actually at 3 pm EDT not 3 am as stated above.
I am going to have an early lunch before watching the BD boy vs his good friend.
Vamos RAFA 💪❤️
Mimi, playing at nighttime without a crowd on his birthday? I don’t like it.
17-0 coming up Mimi👍 Enjoy!
Have to laugh at the photo that pops up every time they meet. I believe they were each 12 years old at the time. When I realize that I was already 44 y.o. back then it isn’t so amusing.😂
I think Rafa prefers playing during the daytime with sunshine too. Oh well……good luck to Rafa day or night.🍀❤️
You too Pauline!🤗
😂😂 I don’t want to believe my “little” girl is 21 years old, you know what I mean?😛
Sorry Margo, my 7:14pm is a reply to your 7:07pm, just right below.👌
Yes, it is PM. We edited it 🙂