Ever since Rafael Nadal’s retirement on November 19, 2024, one question looms large: How does his absence change dynamics at Roland Garros? Not only did Nadal win 14 out of his 22 Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros, but he also recorded an 81-match winning streak on clay between 2005 and 2007. In fact, he finished his career with an incredible 90.5% win rate on clay courts. How hard was it to face him on clay? Well, Novak Djokovic called it the “toughest test in tennis,” while Casper Ruud said, “He makes you suffer. First, he takes your legs, then your mind.” Even his long-time rival, Roger Federer, mentioned in his heartfelt note after Nadal’s retirement that while facing Nadal on clay, he felt as if he was in Nadal’s “backyard.” Now, since Nadal will not be in action on the clay courts this year, how do players like Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev look at this?
This time, it’s the most wide-open clay court season on the ATP Tour in 20 years. Previously in 2023, when Nadal withdrew his name from the French Open, Daniil Medvedev said, “I guess it’s a first Roland Garros in whatever, 10 years, where there is no Rafa, and probably out of these ten, he won it probably what, nine, eight times. It opens the possibility for many players because even if he would not be let’s call it 100% physically, but he would decide to play, he would be a favorite, for sure.”
What’s Medvedev’s reaction to a clay court season without the King of Clay this time around? Well, the Russian, along with several other superstars, recently spoke about Rafa’s absence in an interview with Tennis Channel. “Rafa is not there on clay, so it’s for sure more open than it was before. Guys were like, ‘Who’s making the final?’” said Medvedev.
The reigning French Open champion Alcaraz expressed his thoughts as well, saying, “Rafa made something impossible to repeat, what he has done on clay. I think that’s why it’s really open right now for clay season. I think it’s great for tennis.”
Even the Canadian tennis star, Felix Auger-Aliassime, stated, “It helps that Nadal doesn’t play anymore, that’s for sure. It was closed because we had a specimen of a player on this surface.”
Interesting Fact: Rafael Nadal recorded 484 of his 1,080 career match wins on clay and secured 63 out of his 92 career titles on the surface. That includes 11 titles in Monte Carlo, 12 in Barcelona, 5 in Madrid, and 10 in Rome.
Can players like Carlos Alcaraz ever match Nadal’s legacy on clay? Well, time will tell, but Carlitos reckons Nadal did complete justice to the title – King of Clay.
After his nine-match winning streak on clay came to an end with a defeat in the Barcelona Open final, Alcaraz said, “Having played so many matches without a break is what it’s all about. I didn’t think about that, but I did know it would be tough and demanding. I had faith in playing good tennis, which I think I did. This is demanding; you have to give 100% every day. Playing in Monte Carlo and arriving in Barcelona with just a few days to spare is always complicated. I surrender at Rafa Nadal’s feet, what he did week after week. Something you have in your mind is how difficult it is.“
Carlos Alcaraz was a clear favorite in this year’s Madrid Open, but unfortunately, bad news came out of his camp yesterday. What’s that?
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn his name from the 2025 Madrid Open
Carlos Alcaraz received treatment on his upper right leg during his defeat to Holger Rune in the final of the Barcelona Open last week. After the match, though, he looked quite optimistic about his appearance in the Spanish capital, but as things stand now, the world number 3 wants to be a bit careful with managing his injury before he steps onto the court in Paris to defend his French Open title next month.
While talking about his withdrawal from the Madrid Open, Alcaraz said, “I’m really disappointed that I’m not able to play here in Madrid. It is a place that I love playing in front of my people, in front of my family, my friends. They are not able to travel so much, so here is a special place for me. It was a really difficult situation, really difficult to decide, not [being] able to play. I think it is what it is.”
The Spaniard, however, mentioned that in a week or two, he should get back to training, and he intended to travel to Rome for the Italian Open, which would kick-start on May 6 before the French Open (May 25). “My hope is to play in Rome. If not, the next tournament is Roland Garros for me. So I will try to be on court as soon as possible. I know what my level is, I know what I have to do to play good tennis,” Carlitos added.
Carlos Alcaraz has a win-loss record of 25-4 this season, and he has already won two titles (Rotterdam and Monte Carlo). Are you backing him to successfully defend his title at Roland Garros next month?
The post “Great for Tennis”- as Rafael Nadal’s Shadow Lifts, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev Plot Their Clay Ascent appeared first on EssentiallySports.
