Все взоры прикованы к Надалю и Джоковичу накануне Ролан Гаррос.
PARIS – Rafael Nadal's white T-shirt and socks were covered with specks of rust-colored clay during a practice session on Court Philippe Chatrier in the steamy early afternoon Thursday.
As Nadal slid across his favorite surface, in his favorite stadium, at his favorite tournament, a picture of a shiny French Open trophy rotated on a video board overhead. Under the watch of his coach and fully focused on his work, Nadal didn't steal a glance at that photo.
There was no need: He ought to have every feature of that prize memorized.
When the draw for the year's second Grand Slam tournament is revealed today, much of the attention will be on the paths presented to two men: Nadal, who is bidding for a record seventh French Open championship; and Novak Djokovic, who will try to become only the third man in history to win four consecutive major tournaments.
With the seedings based on rankings, Nadal will be No. 2, and Djokovic will be No. 1. They can meet only in the final June 10, and that is what many expect to happen.
By winning their two recent matchups in clay-court finals, Nadal stopped a seven-match losing streak against Djokovic – including in the past three Grand Slam title matches – and reasserted himself on the surface he has dominated since 2005.
"H
...
Читать дальше »
<
