In-depth: Can king of clay Rafa Nadal reign once again at Roland Garros?

ByEurosport

Updated 21/05/2016 at 12:46 GMT

One of the biggest questions in modern men's tennis will be answered at the French Open: can Rafa Nadal win a 10th title at Roland Garros?

Rafa Nadal

Image credit: Reuters

UNFAMILIAR FEELING

Roland Garros will feel a little different to Rafael Nadal this year but no less special.

Nine times the champion on the red clay of Paris, Nadal will look to become the first player to win 10 grand slam singles titles at the same event.

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Rafael Nadal is in the unusual position of not being the defending champion at the French Open

Image credit: PA Sport

And for only the second time since his French Open debut in 2005, the Spaniard arrived in Paris without the tag of defending champion.

Nadal finally released his vice-like grip on the Coupe des Mousquetaires when he was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals last year, with the Serbian going on to lose to Stan Wawrinka in the final.

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NADAL'S VIEW

"It's better to be here defending your title than not," said Nadal. "But at the same time, it's obvious that it's impossible to have the same feeling every year.

"I had that feeling a lot of times in my career, but I'm not arriving with this feeling this year. At the same time, I am excited.

"The goal still is always the same if you are defending or you are not defending. It doesn't make a big difference on what you want to do.

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"It's true that I had a lot of success here and it's true that I like the tournament. I like the organisation.

"I feel very comfortable with all the staff here in Roland Garros. I know all the people who run the tournament.

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"I feel a little bit like home because I have a great relationship with all of them, and that makes the event even more special for me.

"In terms of being a tennis player, it's a tournament that I know I can play well. If I am playing well, I know I can do good things. I know the court adjusts well to my game because it's so big. The only thing that I need is to play well...

"I played a few good events in a row. So I hope to continue playing well here. That's my goal - keep going the same way that I am playing, and if it's possible to play even a little bit better and better."

POSITIVE SIGNS

Playing well has been far from guaranteed for Nadal over the past couple of years but, after a sticky start to 2016, the signs have been more encouraging.

He won his first Masters title for two years in Monte Carlo in April and following that up with victory in Barcelona.

There were some good signs in Madrid and Rome, too, although he was beaten by Andy Murray and Djokovic.

Getting past Djokovic, who he is scheduled to meet in the semi-finals, will be a huge task given he has lost his last seven meetings against the world number one.

But Nadal, seeded fourth following the withdrawal of Roger Federer, is clearly playing much better than he was 12 months ago and is happy with his consistency.

TOUGH DRAW

The draw certainly did no favours to the Spaniard, who has dangerous players like Fabio Fognini, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem lurking in his section and home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in his quarter.

Even if he makes it past all those players, he faces the potential prospect of Djokovic in the semi-finals followed by Murray in the final.

He's not beaten Djokvoic since the final at Roland Garros two years ago and lost to the Serb in the quarter-finals last year; and he has lost two of his last three clay court matches to the Scottish superstar.

Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros

Image credit: AFP

First up, though, is big-serving Australian Sam Groth, and Nadal said: " He's an uncomfortable first round. I need to be ready to suffer a little bit during the match, because I know it's going to be difficult to have breaks."

Nadal will have to wait until Monday or Tuesday for his first match, with fifth seed Kei Nishikori the biggest name in action on the opening day.

EXPERTS' VIEWS

Belgian pundit and former Roland Garros semi-finalist Filip Dewulf: "I think Nadal showed that in the last few weeks he's really confident and it reflects on the court. I think his opponents are feeling it as well. "He used to have a very big mental advantage because he was unbeatable on clay. He lost that last year but he is slowly getting there again.

"He's getting a bit of his aura back. If you know he is going to run and hit the ball hard on every point, and he's not doubting himself, you know you're going to have a tough time beating Rafa in Paris."

Legendary US coach Brad Gilbert on Nada's troubles with Djokovic: "Rafa played him [Djokovic] well in Indian Wells, played him well in Rome, but he didn't get a win or set. Sometimes in your mind, though, if you feel you're getting closer, then you're thinking, 'I could turn this around.' Or you think, 'What does it ever take to close (Djokovic) out?'

"I do think right now he's closer than where he was a year ago when he lost to Novak at the French. I think he's a lot closer.

"He's hitting his backhand more aggressively, he's trusting it. The forehand is starting to be more penetrating in the court. The one shot he needs, especially against Djokovic ... I'd like to see him serve a little more aggressively."

Toni Nadal, Rafa's coach and uncle: "Rafael is at a level that could allow him to be a clear favourite to win. The top favourite will be Novak Djokovic, but the level showed by Rafa indicates that he can be one of the favourites.

"As for his game and confidence, the victory in Monte Carlo is more than one title because Rafael moved like before, mentally he was so strong, he handled the difficulties. The matches like the one against Murray that required a better playing level were a plus.”