The French Open At Glance, at Paris begins this Sunday which will be the 114th edition of the title and the second major Glam Slam event of the year after the Australian Open. The event which will span over two weeks, every year takes place at the Stade Roland Garros, named after the great aviator Roland Garros. This year the event is scheduled from 24th May to 7th June which will consist of singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles. There is also a special event during these two weeks where junior and wheelchair players also take part in single and doubles events.

Roland Garros – The 2015 French Open

Unlike the Australian Open which is played on the hard surface, the French Open is played on clay courts. Clay courts are regarded a slow court and the ball produce more bounce as compared to the grass or hard courts. This makes clay courts advantageous for big servers and the serve-volley tactics. Players play on different courts throughout the year and some adjust to a particular type of court more easily compared to others. Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg are considered one of the greats of the clay court.

Rafael Nadal is the defending champions in men’s singles title. In fact Rafael Nadal has lost just once at Roland Garros since his debut back in 2005. For this feat he is nicknamed ‘King of Clay’.

Novak finished first runners up last year, however, looking at his current form he goes into the tournament as the favourite this year. Historically, Novak has had no luck at the French Open but this year he has been unstoppable. “Well there is always a little bit of extra motivation for me coming into Roland Garros. It is obviously very encouraging knowing that I have won all the big events from last October and playing some of my best tennis of my life and coming into Roland Garros with that amount of confidence helps”, said Novak.

The defending champion, Nadal, who has had a miserable run till now this season falling to rank 7 in the overall men singles rankings, said, “I am gonna try to put my game in a position that is gonna give me the chance. If I am able to do it, I have enough experience here”.

Roger Federer who is expected to be third in contention for the title behind the two said, “Of course when Rafa doesn’t win a clay-court event it’s a big surprise”. Roger added, “Rafa expects more of himself. Maybe he just played the wrong player at the wrong time”.

Rafael Nadal did manage to win the title in Buenos Aires while he crashed out in the semi-finals at Monte Carlo and in the finals at Madrid. All these were played on clay courts leading up to the French Open this year, which is usually dominated by Rafael, but not this year.

Rafael has been visibly weak and out of form since his return from the injury. Rafael has not been moving as swiftly on the courts and also the longer rallies now do not seem to suit me like it used it. He is not at the level he was a few years ago but Nadal himself has insisted that he could have a great tournament over the next fortnight if he is more consistent with this game on court.

Novak on the other hand, who celebrated his 28th birthday last Friday, is on a 22-match winning streak. In 2015 alone he has a record of 35 wins and just 2 losses.

Tags: Bjorn Borg, Clay Court, French Open, Glam Slam, Paris, Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros, Stade Roland Garros