Whilst Rafael Nadal is keeping cautiously optimistic about his French Open hopes, another player on the Tour is more confident about his chances after the two recently trained together.
World No.25 Tallon Griekspoor prepared for clay court major by spending time in Mallorca after receiving an invite from Carlos Moya, coach of the 22-time Grand Slam champion. He spent three days hitting with the former world No.1, who is still undecided about his future in the sport. Nadal has been hindered by injury in recent months and has only been able to play in four tournaments so far this season.
However, Griekspoor believes his peer has what it takes to challenge for the Paris title despite being handed a nightmare first round draw. On Monday Nadal will take on Alexander Zverev in what will be a repeat of their meeting in the semi-finals of the tournament two years ago. Zverev is seeded fourth and recently won the Italian Open by dropping one set in six matches played.
“It was very nice days, especially considering the stage his career is in now,” NOS.nl quoted Griekspoor as telling Dutch media on Sunday.
“On the first day, it was all not great, but on the second day he showed an incredible level. The intensity he puts into a training session is incredible. He trains like he plays a match.”
“I told a lot of people after that second day of training that he is going to win Roland Garros. His coach Carlos Moyá also said this was his best training in three months.”
Nadal has won the French Open a record 14 times and has lost at the tournament twice before. He was beaten by Robin Soderling in 2009 and Novak Djokovic in 2015.
“His draw just doesn’t help,” Griekspoor admits. “But I hear from everyone that he hasn’t lost a practice set here in Paris yet, so I’m very curious. A Nadal in Paris is a Nadal of a different order.”
It is unknown if this year’s French Open will be the last one Nadal played after he told reporters on Saturday that a final decision is still to be made. The comments forced organisers to axe a planned farewell presentation in his honour that was being constructed.
If Nadal does beat Zverev, he could possibly play Griekspoor in the third round.
“Nadal was always an idol of mine, but he is now also just a competitor.” The Dutchman concluded.
