“French Open is everything to him,” Mats Wilander thinks Rafael Nadal will give his all at this year’s Roland Garros

Wilander pointed out how, despite the fitness issue, Nadal was desperate to play in Paris.

“French Open is everything to him,” Mats Wilander thinks Rafael Nadal will give his all at this year’s Roland Garros

Mats Wilander, Rafael Nadal (Images via Imago, X)

The qualification round is currently underway at Roland Garros and Rafael Nadal has confirmed his participation. Many expect him to give his all to win his 15th trophy in Paris, including Mats Wilander. 

Wilander, a three-time French Open winner, said the tournament is important for Nadal, and knowing that it may turn out to be his last one, he will play up to his full potential to rewrite history. The Swede pointed out how, despite the fitness issue, Nadal was desperate to play in Paris, where he last won the title in 2022. 

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But the way that he’s been speaking [in] the last few weeks, every time, after a loss or a win is that the French Open is everything to him, and he’s going to go on the court even if he’s not 100% – which I don’t think he is. I don’t think anyone at his age is.
Mats Wilander said on Eurosport 

Nadal, who has ruled at Roland Garros for over two decades, holds an excellent 112-3 record. His previous matches on clay in the three tournaments this year were far from satisfactory. Despite that, Wilander said no player wants to face Nadal in the first round. 

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Mats Wilander believes this year’s Roland Garros has become the most open in recent times  

The King of Clay Rafael Nadal is fighting to gain form, and Novak Djokovic‘s situation is no different. He has failed to advance to the final in the four tournaments he has played so far and is searching for his form in the Geneva Open where he reached the quarterfinals after receiving a wild card to play in the fourth round. 

Mats Wilander
Alexander Zverev (Image via Imago)

The two young sensations, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner picked up injuries during the Madrid Open. While Alcaraz suffered an arm injury that doesn’t seem serious, Sinner suffered hip injury. How they will play in Paris will be seen from next week. 

As per Mats Wilander, the issues these players are dealing with have given an opportunity to players like Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Daniil Medvedev. 

I would say that this is a great situation for players like Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and even Daniil Medvedev because no one has been dominating this clay season.
Mats Wilander said 

The main draw at Roland Garros starts on May 26th. Nadal will lock horns with Zverev, Djokovic will face Pierre-Hugues Herbert, while Sinner will play against Christopher Eubanks. 

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