Rafael Nadal's Clay Court State of Mind
Rafael Nadal returns this week to his favorite surface, the crushed red clay courts in Europe. Beginning in Monte Carlo, Nadal will attempt to find his confidence (again) and win his first title since the fall of 2010. In contrast on the women's side, current
World Number One, Caroline Wozniacki, has just won her third title of 2011, albeit under different circumstances on the women's Tour at the moment. Nonetheless, match wins and tournament titles build confidence, regardless of the opponents faced.
As Nadal tweaks his game and works on his fitness leading up to his title defense at the 2011 French Open, Rafa's situation is somewhat similar to his experience when he entered the clay court season lacking confidence and titles in 2010. However, this year Rafa also has tons of points to defend between April and September. At the same time, Nadal faces a stronger threat on the red clay this year from the red-hot, Novak Djokovic. Roger Federer and Andy Murray will also be looking to seriously challenge for a clay title this spring as Murray seeks to find his confidence again and Federer works to show that he’s still in the mix, even on clay courts. All in all, there’s a lot at stake for all the top men this spring in Europe, but how well Nadal plays on his favorite surface will dictate the fortunes to a great extent of Djokovic, Federer and Murray.
As Nadal tweaks his game and works on his fitness leading up to his title defense at the 2011 French Open, Rafa's situation is somewhat similar to his experience when he entered the clay court season lacking confidence and titles in 2010. However, this year Rafa also has tons of points to defend between April and September. At the same time, Nadal faces a stronger threat on the red clay this year from the red-hot, Novak Djokovic. Roger Federer and Andy Murray will also be looking to seriously challenge for a clay title this spring as Murray seeks to find his confidence again and Federer works to show that he’s still in the mix, even on clay courts. All in all, there’s a lot at stake for all the top men this spring in Europe, but how well Nadal plays on his favorite surface will dictate the fortunes to a great extent of Djokovic, Federer and Murray.
|
