Picture Credit: Twitter
Spanish tennis superstar Rafael Nadal continues his domination at the Roland Garros as he defeated Caper Rudd from Norway in straight sets. Nadal was showered with a lot of praise after winning his record 14th French Open title from around the world. Similarly, one such compliment was given by Roger Federer’s coach Ivan Ljubicic.
The former Croatian tennis player shared his thoughts on Twitter after the final and expressed that Nadal deserves a lot more love and adoration at the French Open. He has recommended that the centre court in Paris should be renamed after Nadal’s name as a testimony to his remarkable feat at the clay-court Slam.
"Not many players have competed at Roland Garros 14 times. Rafa has won 14 titles, and there are no words to describe that feat. I do not think good old Philippe would mind if his court changes the name to Rafael Nadal. Rafa has a statue there, but it's not enough," Ivan Ljubicic tweeted.
“Something about this court that makes him play 30% better,” Zverev
Similarly, German tennis player Alexander Zverev before the start of the tournament as he talked about how Nadal looked like a better tennis player at the Roland Garros as his serves are faster and movement is better.
He said, "I just watched Rafa practise and it's funny because all of a sudden his forehand is just 20 miles an hour faster. He moves lighter on his feet. There is something about this court that makes him play 30% better, just being on this court."
“Rafa on clay, he will eat you alive,” Rudd
Adding to Nadal’s dominance in Paris, his finals opponent Casper Rudd expressed how playing Rafa can “eat you alive”, while playing on a clay court. Rudd said, “It was tough for me to really know where I should play the ball because from both sides, he [is] strong.”
“On the forehand, he plays with a little bit of spin and kind of feels like you're playing a right-handed forehand. I didn't know exactly where to play there in the end, and he made me run around the court too much. When you are playing defensive against Rafa on clay, he will eat you alive.”