Rafael Nadal Says He Isn’t Happy With The Clay At The French Open

by Tom Gainey | May 24th, 2014, 5:08 pm
  • 42 Comments

Eight time champion Rafael Nadal revealed yesterday in a pre-tournament presser that he’s not pleased with the conditions of the clay on the eve of the event.

“I only practiced one day,” Nadal said Friday. “I only practiced yesterday, and the center court was a little bit different. I think they make the court new, so it’s like the clay get a little bit more fixed. It was moving a little bit too much around and some small stone that makes the movement a little bit more difficult.

“But probably they will be ready for the tournament now. Remain a few days, and probably they can fix it. They are specialists, no?”


With rain expected in the forecast maybe that will help get the clay right. And Rafa won’t play until later Monday or more than likely on Tuesday against former US Open semifinalist Robby Ginepri.

Rafa also said that despite his non Rafa-like spring, he’s in good form entering his favorite event of the year.

“Rome, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Barcelona is past now,” he said. “We are here in Roland Garros, and the only thing that matters now is have a good practice when I will be able to finish with the press. I will practice today, will practice tomorrow, good practice on Sunday, and try to be ready for the competition, no?

“The dynamic is positive, is true, so that’s always important for the confidence. I felt that in Rome I was able to play with not that nerves, that anxiety that I played in the first two tournaments and some moments in Madrid, too.

“So that’s always a positive thing, but now is very important tournament for me. At the end is another tournament, no? And just happy to be here in Roland Garros. Happy to fight for the challenge to play well again here.

“And I gonna try. That’s it. That’s the only thing that I can say. I gonna try.”


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42 Comments for Rafael Nadal Says He Isn’t Happy With The Clay At The French Open

Eric Says:

Oh boy. Rafa is not in a good place if he’s complaining about this stuff. At least it’s not blue, eh?

May 24th, 2014 at 5:17 pm


Giles Says:

Vamos Champ!
Stay Healthy!

May 24th, 2014 at 5:33 pm


amadeus Says:

drama queen

May 24th, 2014 at 9:00 pm


Goatexpert Says:

you know who’s to blame if he loses now! the clay!!!!

Or perhaps the banana he choked on many years ago.

Here come the excuses.

May 24th, 2014 at 10:41 pm


skeezer Says:

Vamos Champ!
Keep whining!

May 24th, 2014 at 11:33 pm


roy Says:

another tough year for federer fans.

oh, who to support in a fed/djoker SF? you want lover boy in the final. but you also want nadal to lose.

what’s more important? keeping federer’s GS gap intact? or seeing him in another final?

another year supporting djokovic i guess.
it must be hard being a federer fan, having to support another player so the main threat to federer’s legacy can be taken down…

May 25th, 2014 at 2:21 am


madmax Says:

roy Says:
another tough year for federer fans.

oh, who to support in a fed/djoker SF? you want lover boy in the final. but you also want nadal to lose.

what’s more important? keeping federer’s GS gap intact? or seeing him in another final?

another year supporting djokovic i guess.
it must be hard being a federer fan, having to support another player so the main threat to federer’s legacy can be taken down…

Roy, you’re the federer fan here. That’s all you do is write about him and whine. Must be something in the air.

May 25th, 2014 at 2:53 am


Hippy Chic Says:

Win or loose,just do your best Rafa,thats all i ask….

May 25th, 2014 at 4:04 am


Tennis lover Says:

Nadal will never overtake Federer’s record no matter how he tries. He’ll retire at the end of 2015 with an appaling season with 14th Grandslams at his disposal. However, that’ll make him as one of the greatest of all time. Meanwhile, Federer will win at least one more grandslam and will continue to play top tennis till 2016. You’ll be surprised seeing Fed’s achievement.

May 25th, 2014 at 5:02 am


Hippy Chic Says:

I dont think Rafa is fixated with surpassing Roger anyway?i think hes merely content at been an all time great,doing the best he can do,been the best he can be,and 14 GS is still a fantastic achievement if he gets to 14?hell actually 13 is already a fantastic achievement,only 2 men in history with more,i bet every player on tour other than Roger would kill for that many?

May 25th, 2014 at 5:16 am


mat4 Says:

@Alison:

“I dont think Rafa is fixated with surpassing Roger anyway?”

Wanna bet?

May 25th, 2014 at 6:52 am


Hippy Chic Says:

Mat4 the point is,many people on here seem to be regarding him as some sort of failure,he cannot beat Novak so therefore hes a failure?he will not surpass Roger therefore hes a failure?most of his GS are on clay(even though he has completed the CGS,and won 5 GS off clay,which for anyone else is usually good for anyone)therefore hes failure?would be nice people could just regard him as great player in his own right,rather than pointing out his shortcomings for a change?

May 25th, 2014 at 7:12 am


Steve27 Says:

Tennislover is the new “jamie”, another troll who can see the future and predict nonsense.
These “astrologists” are new comedian!

May 25th, 2014 at 7:27 am


Giles Says:

“Meanwhile Federer will win at least one more grandslam…. ..”
Delusional much! He’ll be lucky if he wins another Masters 1000.

May 25th, 2014 at 7:28 am


Michael Says:

Alison,

You can always be assured that Rafa will do his best and give his 100 percent. There are very rare occasions when he has gifted away a match.

May 25th, 2014 at 7:37 am


Hippy Chic Says:

Thankyou Michael;))….

May 25th, 2014 at 7:42 am


calmdownplease Says:

`You’ll be surprised seeing Fed’s achievement…`

Yes Tennis Lover,
I think its safe to say we’ll be surprised if Roger achieves another slam.
Very in fact, Speaking for myself.
I don’t think it’s going to get any easier for him, that’s for sure.
Still, the stars aligned in a big way in Wimbledon 12`(3 under the roof matches, no Nadal), so you never know.

May 25th, 2014 at 8:38 am


skeezer Says:

Vamos Champ!
Keep whining.

Let’s see, Rafa whines yet again about court conditions, and a rafafanatic interprets that as Fed fans are having a tough year.
LMAO!

#lovethelogic
#dadoodoodah

May 25th, 2014 at 8:49 am


calmdownplease Says:

Well, I’m not a Fed fan and I’m hoping Novak wins.
Just to get it the hell away from NADAL.
Sorry, but It’s so boring when the same player wins all the time & everything is predestined.
Unless one is (r)afan of said player, naturally.
Actually, I think this is the only time I’ve ever been remotely interested in the clay.
& If Nadal loses, his attempt to make a comeback next year will be LOADED withdrama too.

Vamos Uncertainty!
#Variety is the spice of life…

May 25th, 2014 at 9:22 am


Hippy Chic Says:

As a fan i wont complain if he wins it again(obviously),but then again i wont if he doesnt,i mean what fan wouldnt be happy when their paricular favorite already has eight anyway?

May 25th, 2014 at 9:38 am


Okiegal Says:

@Chic 7:12

I agree…….Rafa’s record speaks fir itself. All three of these guys are so amazing……and I will have to throw Andy in the mix too. Rafa haters and Fed haters are two ridiculous groups of fans…..this petty war is so silly. Enjoy tennis and move on.

@Skeezer….

I was reading posts around 3 am and I thought you said “Keep winning…….I just now woke up! Lol

NOTICE TO THE FO ORGANIZERS: “Get the clay right for

my guy……The King who creates drama on center court……yeah, Drama King…..Amadeus was half right!

VAMOS RAFA

#frenchkiss#9……..now that’s what I’m talking about!!

May 25th, 2014 at 9:46 am


Hippy Chic Says:

Tennis Lover 5.02am Rafa has stated he will play Rio in 2016,OK he might not be a factor in tennis by then,but it doesnt sound like he has any intention of retiring any time soon,you Federer fans want to enjoy seeing your guy play without retirement talk and indeed why shouldnt you,so why cant us Rafa fans enjoy the same?

May 25th, 2014 at 12:30 pm


Okiegal Says:

Fed on Novak……”Three weeks ago he couldn’t play tennis anymore…..when he was injured, Oh, my God, you know, things are looking so terrible. Now everything is great”. I wonder if he actually said it like that……or an over zealous writer. If he did say it just like written, that remark is a slam at Novak, imo. I’m really surprised at Roger throwing it down like he did……just saying. Rafa is still Roger’ s pick……we will see!

May 25th, 2014 at 1:53 pm


Hippy Chic Says:

Okiegal i did read the link and thought that too,was Roger having a dig hmm i dont know?but i did myself think that was a rather quick recovery from that injury,but on the other hand you have to be glad that it wasnt too serious?

May 25th, 2014 at 2:05 pm


Giles Says:

Fed knows joker better than we do. Well said fed!

May 25th, 2014 at 2:14 pm


calmdownplease Says:

There’s no love lost between them,that’s for sure.

May 25th, 2014 at 2:19 pm


calmdownplease Says:

I still don’t think it’s disrespectful to think Novak will win this time.
He has been playing better than Nadal on clay this year.
And Nadal’s form has been lamentable (by his standards), although that might just mean he is ready for just the one clay tournament this year.
The big one.
But It’s a reasonable prediction that Novak could take it, all good things must come to an end at some point, no?

May 25th, 2014 at 2:25 pm


Hippy Chic Says:

CDP i agree great respect between the two, but i dont think theres any love lost?

May 25th, 2014 at 2:31 pm


mat4 Says:

The interview was in French, and he hammered the journalists, not Novak, telling them that things don’t change overnight, from week to week.

At his age, with the career he had, the maturity he shows in the last few years, while trying to be earnest, I don’t think the would show animosity toward any player. And I don’t think that he likes Rafa more than Novak.

Think about it: who would you like/dislike more in Roger place?

May 25th, 2014 at 2:59 pm


Hippy Chic Says:

Mat4 sorry i said anything,and i agree i dont think he likes Rafa more than Novak,and i never said that anyway :((….

May 25th, 2014 at 3:07 pm


Hippy Chic Says:

^And probably Rafa^….

May 25th, 2014 at 3:08 pm


mat4 Says:

@Alison:

It wasn’t addressed to you, and, anyway, after so many years of ethereal tennis-x friendship, you don’t have to apologize to me, ever.

May 25th, 2014 at 3:12 pm


Hippy Chic Says:

Thanks Mat4 and phew….

May 25th, 2014 at 3:15 pm


Tennis lover Says:

Some folks think, I’m troll. I only agree to disagree..I just told what I felt. I’ve the familiar feeling that Novak will not win French Open this year if he’s to play Rafa in the final..again, I think we might see an upset this year Rafa’s fall in early round. That would boost up the chance of Novak and the other guys..while, what I’ve said about Rafa not being able to overtake Roger’s record, for that, I would request all of you to wait till the end of 2015. You’ll have chance to hurl invectives towards me. But, please not before that..

May 25th, 2014 at 3:19 pm


mat4 Says:

@TL:

“Some folks…” You mean everybody?

;-)

Just kidding.

May 25th, 2014 at 3:23 pm


amadeus Says:

This is a good drama.

May 25th, 2014 at 3:39 pm


Tennis lover Says:

Mat 4

It’s kindda harsh if I’m being branded as troll. In my prediction I just tried to be clairvoyant. I admire both Roger and Rafa. Novak, JMDP and Murray’s game also provoke excitement in me. But, for me Roger stands above all. And, as I said, when Fed will retire by 2016, you’ll have every time to think why I’ve predicted 18 Grandslam for him and Nadal’s glory will fall short of Federer.

May 25th, 2014 at 3:44 pm


Tennis lover Says:

But for me Rafa is the favourite to win French open this year. Either it’ll be an early exit or 9th RG for him. And, there’s something call law of average too..

May 25th, 2014 at 3:49 pm


mat4 Says:

@TL:

I was just kidding, like I wrote.

Then, I like myself to troll. So, who cares?

May 25th, 2014 at 3:54 pm


calmdownplease Says:

18 Grandslams!
20 Grandslams!
57 Grandslams!!,

Quality not quantity please.
At least once Fedal finally retire there will be a blessed release for their fans from all this extraordinary pent up anxiety, created by their slam counts & nose bleed inducing goat aspirations.
Just one more to go, just 4 more to go!!!!
Come on!
yadda yadda yadda!

May 25th, 2014 at 4:56 pm

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