Rafael Nadal will be looking to put a poor run of form behind him as the ATP world tour switches from hard court to Clay in the run up to next month’s French Open at Roland Garros.
It’s no secret that Nadal has endured a disappointing 2015 thus far. The Spaniard has endured a dismal string of poor results against mediocre opposition which has left him fifth in the ATP world ranking and, as he put it himself at a press conference a few weeks ago, lacking severely in confidence. Nadal has only managed to win one singles title so far this year. That came at the Argentinian open which featured a depleted roster of big name players with the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic not in attendance. Nadal endured a difficult 2014 with injuries to his back and wrist as well as having his appendix removed. These injuries, paricularly his back problem, are credited with causing Nadal’s so far dismal 2015.
However, Nadal is starting to show signs of a return to form. Despite losing to Feranado Verdasco in the Miami open, the fourteen-time Grand-Slam champion played some brilliant tennis and was unlucky to lose in the end. As focus shifts to this week’s Monte Carlo Masters the “King of Clay” as Nadal is so often dubbed will be looking to live up to the name. Nadal won half of his entire haul of titles from 2014 on the red stuff last season. Nadal also secured his record ninth French Open title, his fifth in a row. Nadal has won a grand total of 46 titles on his favoured surface which is 30 more than he’s won on any other surface.
With such impressive statistics on clay Nadal is still favourite to clinch many of the titles on offer over the next month or so. Rafa has won eight times at the Monte Carlo masters and was victorious 6-2 6-1 over Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the tournament’s second round on Wednesday. Granted this was not the most difficult of opposition but considering Nadal’s confidence issues heading into the tie, he put on a powerful display and in many regards was looking rather comfortable on his return to clay.
It is vital Nadal builds on this victory and pushes on for the remainder of the clay court season as Nadal will be looking for a tenth Roland Garros triumph come June 7th. Such a feet would only be possible should the Majorca man put in some impressive performances between then and now. With Wimbledon taking place just three weeks after the climax of the French Open it makes the run-in to Roland Garros even more essential for Nadal. The form of both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as well as the improving Andy Murray will also put them firmly in contention to claim trophies over the next six weeks. However, despite Nadal’s tough 2015 so far it would take a brave individual to bet against him throughout the 2015 Clay season.
