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Reuters

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Reuters

Rafael Nadal is currently playing his comeback match at the French Open. And the tension regarding his match is skyrocketing among fans and experts alike. Will he be able to overthrow Alexander Zverev in the draw? Well, according to Serena Williams’ ex-coach, Rennae Stubbs, it is going to be “harder” for the Spaniard, as she shares her thoughts after the weather conditions worsened in Paris.

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Rennae Stubbs recently took to her X and provided her insights on the 14-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal’s current ongoing match3. She wrote, “If the roof stays closed it’s going to be even harder for Rafa.” Despite her own prediction of a mere 5% chance of winning, Stubbs desperately hopes to be proven wrong. “I think he has 5% chance of winning this match, sadly. But i have NEVER EVER EVER wanted to be more incorrect in my life! SO PLEASE LET ME BE WRONG! @rolandgarros@RafaelNadal #goat14.”

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The match is indeed a tough one. Nadal, who is currently struggling to find his form after his hip injuries, is facing Zverev, who won his first title this season in Rome a few days ago. Nadal, who last won Roland Garros in 2022, is yet to earn a title in his possible last season on tour. As a result of all of this, Rafael Nadal’s ranking has fallen drastically. 

The King of Clay, who holds a record of 97.4% win rate in the French Open, is not even seeded this year. This is because Nadal, who is currently ranked 276th in the ATP ranking, does not belong to the top 32 players. As a result, he has to face the top-ranked contenders for the initial rounds. And the cards he’s been dealt have put him across the net from the World No. 4.

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The stakes are high and the rain has paused the outdoor game. Stubbs wishes there was a chance for the roof to be open because although the winner may more or less be decided, she is also rooting for the 22-Grand Slam Champion to defy the odds and win. Much like Stubbs, Nadal also previously revealed his take on the current draw before the match began.

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Rafael Nadal opens up on facing the “toughest opponents possible”

Rafael Nadal previously admitted that he is not “100%” sure about whether this season is going to be his last at the French Open. However, Nadal, who has played in only four tournaments so far, has not shied away from admitting the tough draw that he is facing at Roland Garros.

“Of course on paper it is not the best draw. I play against one of the toughest opponents possible, and at the same time, he came here winning the last event and it’s a Masters 1000.It’s not a small one. So what can I do? That’s the draw. Just try to be ready for it.”

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Although he has a 7-3 lead over the German tennis pro, the match is still going to test Rafael Nadal’s dominance on-court. And just like Stubbs, the tennis world stays tuned in to find the ultimate result of the most awaited match at Roland Garros.

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Ankita Banerjee

899 Articles

Ankita Banerjee is a Tennis writer at EssentiallySports. She seamlessly blends her keen interest in writing with an ability to analytically comprehend things. During her college days, she contributed numerous articles to the college magazine, showcasing her growing deep-rooted in the sport.

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Edited by

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Deepanshi Bajaj

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