There is no such thing as a second favorite for the French Open. Favorite: Nadal. Everybody else is just a player at the French, not second, not favorite, nada.

May 22nd, 2018 at 9:21 pm

Depends on the draw.

But, Zverev.

May 22nd, 2018 at 10:34 pm

I think i agree with TAG….If Roger,Novak,Andy,Stan[all of them r healthy of coz] are there…they’re certainly the 2nd fav…

But,i still don’t trust the nextgen to win it…It’s still a big question whether they can go through even to the final in slam..that’s my opinion..

May 23rd, 2018 at 1:47 am

Thiem beat him days ago, Zverev almost the same, they could make it, but I voted for Novak, just being a little better than past week could challenge Rafa imo.

May 23rd, 2018 at 3:48 am

So basically we are trying to figure out who has the honour of losing to Nadal in the final, right? Zverev has never gone deep in a slam so he still has a lot to prove in best of five play. My pick would be Djokovic but he would need a favourable draw. Thiem has the game to challenge Nadal and it would be an interesting match to watch.

May 23rd, 2018 at 3:49 am

gonzalowski,

You mentioned the exact same players I noted in my comment. If only I posted it one minute sooner :)

May 23rd, 2018 at 3:52 am

Am sure, we will have Nadal, Djoko and Thiem on the same half of draw. Nishikori might also land there.

Not sure Zverev will make it to the final. Would be good for him to make it to the 2nd week.

May 23rd, 2018 at 3:53 am

I would say, Thiem could challenge Rafa and be a 2nd fave for the FO. But he would have to play his best tennis and Rafa should not be in best form.
Honestly, Rafa from Rome was not as good as the Rafa from Monte Carlo, ok, players were also not yet very accommodated to the clay in Monte Carlo, one could say.

May 23rd, 2018 at 3:56 am

^^ to add, also, Rafa from Madrid showed he might be vulnerable, but I expect him to be very determined at the FO.

May 23rd, 2018 at 3:57 am

Rafa from 2006-2013 would have whipped the floor with the Djoko from Rome 2018 and perhaps even with Zverev.

May 23rd, 2018 at 4:02 am

bstevens, yes same insight here :) A loss against Noel would be harder, too.

VP, I’d prefer you’re not right about draws…

May 23rd, 2018 at 4:40 am

I agree with Andy-Mira re. Next-Gen. vis-a-vis their ability to win a 5-setter YET. Depending on the draw, Nole could reach the final vs. Rafa – if that happens the win would be Rafa’s but it would show Nole’s getting close to his best.

May 23rd, 2018 at 4:42 am

Gonza,

“A loss against Noel would be harder, too.” LOL…I would love it to happen, but not possible. Nole might get a set from this Rafa, though, as Nole has the ability to play one wonderful set atm.
Also, I wish I am wrong also regarding the draw..

J-K,

Nole in Final? also LOL…even if he should be in the other half, with his stamina atm, very unlikely. Would be very happy to be wrong :)

P.S. Chung just withdrew from the FO due to injury

May 23rd, 2018 at 5:03 am

For those following Andy’s condition:

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/963910/Andy-Murray-injury-comeback-date-Libema-Open

May 23rd, 2018 at 5:05 am

Good luck to Andy,

When he will be back, I assume it will not be very easy for him.

May 23rd, 2018 at 5:14 am

VP: Reverse psychology? As a fan, understandable – but is not a given…..Rafa, Nole and a few others know better than most how to husband their energy and use grit and determination through long matches.

May 23rd, 2018 at 5:15 am

J-Kath,

No, not reverse psychology here. I am really realistic. I just saw, how he looked like when he got in a 3rd set at the last tournaments. He did lose 3 after surgery and looked really tired in the 3rd against Kei in Rome.

May 23rd, 2018 at 5:18 am

Yeah JK….I know many intrigued with next gens whipped the Tour atm…but none of them proved that we can count on them when it comes to slam…The farthest they got only semis…Thiem made it 2 times[FO],Chung 1,Kyle 1,Sascha 4th Rd…Sascha should make it to the final based on his hot form & confidence atm..but very interesting too to see whether he can overcome the mental block that he suffered at slam so far…

Also very agree with u JK that Nole could make it to the final[if he is on the other side of the draw from Rafa]…I think he will be very motivated from his perfomance in Rome to do well at FO..

May 23rd, 2018 at 5:44 am

Gasquet, about Rafa:
“Rafa is a tennis player loved in France. He is a great guy, a good person, he has a good attitude on the court. He has won Roland Garros many times, yes, but he has never had an arrogant gesture towards the spectators. Everyone considers him a normal boy and they value ​​what he does”

nice photo:

https://e00-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2018/05/22/15270103983653.png

May 23rd, 2018 at 5:55 am

Gonza!…Nice photo?Who?Gasquet?Not Rafa surely!hahaha….

May 23rd, 2018 at 6:14 am

Rafa from Madrid showed he might be vulnerable
—
Madrid conditions are nothing like Paris.

May 23rd, 2018 at 6:41 am

Gonza!…Nice photo?Who?Gasquet?Not Rafa surely!hahaha…
—
I see innocence and humility in my photos.

May 23rd, 2018 at 6:47 am

AM, yes Richard and Rafa. Tarbes, 1999, Gasquet had just eliminated Rafael Nadal on Tournoi des Petits As.

May 23rd, 2018 at 6:50 am

In his last few tournaments, Zverev seemed to settled in well in his position as a top-ranked player. However, I think he has played so much leading to the Frenc that he may lose early again. I don’t think Thiem is a majors material. Nobody else looks capable. Djokovic won’t last three sets against Nadal, let alone five. The only one who can derail Nadal is his most powerful nemesis, Mr. Injury.

May 23rd, 2018 at 7:30 am

Chung out of FO.

May 23rd, 2018 at 7:59 am

Zverev has an outside chance of winning FO.. Thats all.. Rafa will surely not lose to djokovic in FO.. but atm Rafa is the only fave for FO..

May 23rd, 2018 at 8:16 am

Markus: Not sure who Mr. Injury is….there are still a few out and new ones joining as we speak e.g. Del Potro; Chung and one of the Frenchies I think.

May 23rd, 2018 at 8:28 am

j-kath Mr. Injury is the toughest of all to beat. He is the friend of Mr. Old Age. If one does not get you, the other will.

May 23rd, 2018 at 9:28 am

Gonza!….Thanks for the info!:)..

HR!…Hahaha…Yeah!..Very true!

May 23rd, 2018 at 9:42 am

Chung out of FO.
—
No statistics to go with it? You know we don’t believe anything without numbers.

May 23rd, 2018 at 10:35 am

When was the last time there was such a pathetic weak competitive lineup of players?
Last years FO.
Bring on Wimby.

May 23rd, 2018 at 10:39 am

Bstevens @3.49: LOL that is exactly what we are trying to figure out on here, and the jury seems out. Of course Nole, Pretty Boy, Kei and Dom could all be in the same half, Rafa’s, and then what? I think it would take a minor miracle and a load of luck for Stan to be there but, if JMDP can stay injury free for half a minute, his chances could be good.

May 23rd, 2018 at 10:41 am

Markus: Here’s my last attempt at answering:

It must be Stan Wawrinka…Three cheers I hope.

PS: Not sure Stan is playing – if so, he’s not playing well elsewhere at the moment. As for his friend Methuselah- (with the golden balls) – he’s no show at FO – he prefers the living stuff below his feet.

May 23rd, 2018 at 10:41 am

When was the last time there was such a pathetic weak competitive lineup of players?
—
I can remember about 20 times in the last 15 years.

May 23rd, 2018 at 10:56 am

I can remember about 20 times in the last 15 years.
_
What a most ingenious memory, you were in most of those 20 times.

May 23rd, 2018 at 12:06 pm

Skeezer. Wait your turn. We are still discussing clay, not grass!

May 23rd, 2018 at 12:09 pm

Giles,
Grass Grass Grass Grass Grass Grass.
Your turn.

May 23rd, 2018 at 12:36 pm

No one.

HR and Skeeze are both right– a rare agreement, though they say it in different ways:

HR is right that there is no second favourite.
Skeeze is right that it is a historically weak field.
You can’t really say one is true and not the other.

Can anyone name another year Rafa was THIS far favoured to win the French?

May 23rd, 2018 at 12:46 pm

Indeed TV, there was never a year it was such a sure thing as this year.

After we take a look at the draw tomorrow, we may start betting on the second half finalist.

May 23rd, 2018 at 12:52 pm

Hoping Dimitrov can put together a decent run here. Not sure he can beat Rafa but I think he can make things competitive if he’s playing well enough to get to the final.

Zverev is the obvious No.2.

May 23rd, 2018 at 12:55 pm

Wasn’t there a story about the FO using a 25 second clock this year? If the chair umpires do their job, the King of Delay will be defaulted right out of the tournament.
#NoMoreGamesmanship

May 23rd, 2018 at 1:20 pm

King of Delay
—
People who rush things are either very old or never learned to do it properly.

Slow is good.

May 23rd, 2018 at 2:40 pm

I don’t think joker is in good enough shape to make it to the final let alone win it. Didn’t he just go out in the 1st round of couple recent tourneys?
RAFA never seems to play well in Madrid bc of the altitude.
Yes he was behind Alex Z in Rome but figured out a way to turn it around. He is the ultimate “problem solver”! It’s his fight or die mentality. He goes into overdrive. VAMOS RAFA!!!
Let’s get to the final for a chance to win # 11!!! If anyone can do it, it’s U!!! Luv U Babe;) ;)

May 23rd, 2018 at 2:44 pm

People who rush things are either very old or never learned to do it properly.

Slow is good.
_

Slow is good? Maybe for you, but not for the fans. I don’t expect to sit and watch someone bounce the ball a gazzilian times, wipe everywhere that can be wiped(including areas that shouldn’t be), in between each point. That whole process can last longer than the actual point played. Get up there, bounce the ball, toss it in the air and get on with the play so fans can watch Tennis already!

May 23rd, 2018 at 3:42 pm

Skeeze,

You need to watch Tallner play Tallovic. Everything is fast and is over quickly, giving you more time for other things (which I will not mention here).

May 23rd, 2018 at 3:46 pm

No HR you are wrong, when Extremely Tall Tallner played Quite Tall Tallovic at Wimbledon the match lasted several months.

May 23rd, 2018 at 4:43 pm

It just doesn’t look like there are any surprises coming and there’s absolutely no one going to RG that has beaten Rafa at RG except Novak and Stan and each of them are far from their best. So my second fave is the inexperienced Zverev – Thiem beat Rafa in Madrid but we all know about Rafa and Madrid court conditions being meaningless to Rafa’s ability to win FO.

It’s weak competition for Rafa at RG, no doubt. But there will be plenty of interesting match-ups in ATP and WTA as usual and I’m used to Rafa winning this GS. It would be nice to be surprised on the men’s side, but I don’t expect it. WTA will be a surprise – there’s that!

May 23rd, 2018 at 6:38 pm

Nadal will win because he is good, not because the field is weak. That’s just the way it is. To discredit a winner because of the field is a fool man’s tool to discredit a winner.

May 23rd, 2018 at 7:22 pm

…foolish man’s …

May 23rd, 2018 at 7:25 pm

I didn’t say that to discredit Rafa!

It’s a weak field. The circumstances are just that.

May 23rd, 2018 at 7:40 pm

There is no one good enough make good competition for Rafa. That’s not Rafa’s fault. LOL

May 23rd, 2018 at 7:43 pm

Its a weak field.

And Rafa’s good.

The Big 5 have had complete ownership of Slams for 10 years. You can’t take 4 of of the 5 out,, leaving NO ONE except Rafa with Slam credentials, and claim it doesn’t matter. Just look at the top 16 seeds. Tell me that’s a slugger’s row….

May 23rd, 2018 at 7:45 pm

Thank you TV. I wasn’t discrediting Rafa. It just so happens there appears to be no one even close to Rafa’s level in this clay slam.

The question is who comes in 2nd! or Who can get a set. Or can anyone push Rafa to 4 or 5 sets? I don’t think so. Rafa could win every match in straight sets — it’s more like how many games can one get.

That’s simply how far he is above the rest this year.

May 23rd, 2018 at 8:10 pm

Rafa is really really good. No denyimg that. But no denyimg this is a weak field. I mean c’mon man.

May 23rd, 2018 at 8:24 pm

When you combine the greatest clay court player of all time with (could it be?) the weakest Slam field in modern times…

There is no second favourite.

May 23rd, 2018 at 8:47 pm

“Tennis is tennis in Grand Slams or Masters 1000s or in any event. When you’re able to win Masters 1000s, not having a great result in a Grand Slam is all a coincidence. It’s impossible to not have a great result in a Grand Slam when you have the level that he has,”

Rafael Nadal.

Guess who was he talking about.

May 23rd, 2018 at 9:21 pm

When the King is this strong, all others are weak. This simple logic is not something that can be drilled into some.

May 23rd, 2018 at 10:58 pm

When all others are weak, it is easy to be King. Simpler logic.

May 24th, 2018 at 12:15 am

^^ Just ask Fed: 2004-2007 :)

May 24th, 2018 at 1:28 am

I love slow……… I can get so much done during the match! Lol! 😛😛😛

May 24th, 2018 at 1:34 am

@Van Perdue 1:28…….🤠🤠🤠

May 24th, 2018 at 1:48 am

OKiegal: When Andy’s not playing I often just start watching at crucial parts of the match. When Andy’s not playing….I especially like tie breaks…;)

May 24th, 2018 at 1:52 am

Okie,

Van Perdue, haha :)See I get a French name for the RG

May 24th, 2018 at 2:23 am

weak field, not so much, they are the last champions and GS winners, Rafa, Nole, and Wawa, some other very good players… Fed from a lot of time ago is not favourite, and almost could say the same of Murray (who anyway has beaten Rafa on clay some time).

May 24th, 2018 at 2:57 am

VP,
Oh you mean the period when Rafa and Novak were in the field ? ;)

May 24th, 2018 at 6:41 am

Yep Skeezer, but Rafa and Novak were teenagers, not at their peaks. Roger could not even beat Rafa the kid in a FO final :D

May 24th, 2018 at 7:16 am

@Van Persie……..I am so sorry about getting your name wrong! Perdue popped up on the stupid spell check………. please forgive!

May 24th, 2018 at 7:33 am

No worries, Okie, sounds funny :)

May 24th, 2018 at 8:03 am

As long as you don’t get “lost” VP – we’d hate to lose you at the FO or elsewhere…..

May 24th, 2018 at 8:38 am

Evidently Del Potro may not be fit for FO….

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Tennis_Stories/55311/juan-martin-del-potro-has-more-concerns-than-his-game/

May 24th, 2018 at 8:44 am

^ my point just got stronger, not weaker.
—
I wouldnt call GS winners Safin, Hewitt, Roddick, Agassi a weak field. They weren’t “missing”.
Novak & Nadal were pushing 2o with Nadal winning 3 Slams.

May 24th, 2018 at 9:13 am

J-Kath,

I think I will get “perdue” after the French ;)

Skeezer,

Whatever, I still think there was not much of a competition from 2003-2007. Have to be honest, I used to find tennis a bit boring in that period of time, enjoyed it more afterwards.

Agassi was old, did not do much, Safin was inconsistent(but he looks good ;)), a sort of Wawa, I considered Roddick and Hewitt weak.
Liked and still like the generation of Rafa, Djoko, Andy, DelPo , Wawa much more. Also consider them better players.

May 24th, 2018 at 9:26 am

Me too, But most of those likable players(novak playing but head is no mas) are not at FO, except king of delay of course.
I think your guy will be ready to go the distance at this years USO…

May 24th, 2018 at 9:36 am

King of Da-lay??? Lucky Xisca!! Woot woot!! 😘😘😘

May 24th, 2018 at 10:01 am

@Van Persie…….Thanks for being a gracious sport! Some years back I sent a comment to Madmax and spell check translated it as Madman….Madmax was not happy and she told me about it. I guess she thought I did it on purpose which I didn’t l, but the damage had
already been done……..FYI…….proofreading all monikers…….. LOL! PERFECT…..👌

May 24th, 2018 at 10:15 am

When you win 10 of anything, it shows the King is strong. Not that others are weak. 10 years spans more than a generation (of players and cats). You will find out how competitive clay can be once I retire in 2045.

May 24th, 2018 at 10:50 am

Why have 10 of anything when there is 20 of everything?
#simplemath

May 24th, 2018 at 11:04 am

^ King of Da-lay??? Lucky Xisca!! Woot woot!! 😘😘😘

——

😄😄😄😄 hmmm….

May 24th, 2018 at 11:34 am

VP/Skeezer:

Me too.

VP: Not too much “perdue” – there’s a lot more tennis in Nole.

PS: To “UK-ites” – we are blessed – TV4 is showing FO from Sunday on!!!

May 24th, 2018 at 11:50 am

Why have 10 of anything when there is 20 of everything?
—
20 of everything. Elaborate, genius.

10 monte carlo, 10 barcelona, 10 FO, etc..is 10 of everything.

May 24th, 2018 at 11:55 am

Elaborate, genius.10 monte carlo, 10 barcelona, 10 FO, etc..is 10 of everything
—
That is not 10 of EVERYTHING. Oh you mean 10 of YOUR everything. Your math is similar to your counting shot clock time. Errored.

May 24th, 2018 at 12:10 pm

When Rafa’s right physically and mentally, it doesn’t really matter what field is out there. He’s gonna win the FO…period. There’s no point in arguing about weak fields (…or strong fields) or the number 10. In about 16 days, short of an injury, Nadal will have another FO.

May 24th, 2018 at 12:32 pm

Nole, Nishikori, Wawa, Thiem, in the other half of Rafa

May 24th, 2018 at 1:39 pm

Rafa smiling, looking to the draw on the ceremony

May 24th, 2018 at 1:42 pm

^ Just what I predicted :0 No Sascha v Rafa final then.

May 24th, 2018 at 1:43 pm

not Dimi nor Goffin on Rafa’s half

Rafa with Shapo, and Cilic or Delpo on SF

May 24th, 2018 at 1:47 pm

very good draw for Rafa, only Schwartzman or Shapovalov on his quarter,

Delpo or Cilic SF

the rest on final :)

May 24th, 2018 at 1:49 pm

Wow. I am very surprised. Good draw for Nole too

May 24th, 2018 at 2:11 pm

Predict Rafa-Dom final

May 24th, 2018 at 2:12 pm

Wawa just got bageled in his home. He may “be” at RG, but he is actually not there at all. It’s just a name with former champion, as in reality he has zero chances to win it or make any noise.

May 24th, 2018 at 2:15 pm

And Thiem struggling against Garcia-Lopez. Feel he should’ve rested this week, playing too much. Do you want to revise your prediction, Van Perdue?….;) Love your new moniker BTW sounds like a French love song.

May 24th, 2018 at 2:21 pm

Margot,

Since my fave is so lovely lately , I should be too ;)

Ok, my heart wants a DelPo-Nole final at this FO :)

May 24th, 2018 at 2:29 pm

Stan – usually one of my favourites, has not been winning much for a while and Del Potro has current problems also.

May 24th, 2018 at 3:20 pm

The real weak field are the numbnuts here who keep looking at the draw, analyzing it (as if it really matters), dropping names of contenders, even possible winners not named Rafa (those of the dumbest). Use your brains (if you have them, maybe not). HR is a genius compared to all of you.

May 24th, 2018 at 3:29 pm

^ kind of 2004-2007 revisited, U mean?

May 24th, 2018 at 3:34 pm

But I said something stupid, between 2004-2007 there was hope Fed might beat Rafa at the FO. That’s missing now

May 24th, 2018 at 3:49 pm

VP,
You’re LP seems stuck. Might want to give it a nudge.

May 24th, 2018 at 4:11 pm

Oh my, such exciting new posters on Tennis-X – we are so blessed.

May 24th, 2018 at 6:31 pm

Skeezer,

Come on, it is obvious it is not the strongest field. But it is not different from AO 2018. You did not complain then about this. Same situation: big names, but not much of potential to make noise there, as Daniel told.

May 25th, 2018 at 1:54 am

Skeezer, the field is weak no doubt but Still your Champ doesn’t have the balls to play in the tournament.

May 25th, 2018 at 4:20 am

I see people who back-up their stupid posts from the past with even stupider posts today. Stupid posts in the past: Federer, you are too old and will never win again. Retire already.
Stupider posts today: Federer, you have no balls. Play every tournament.

May 25th, 2018 at 7:19 am

Where was Nadal during the earlier hardcourt season this year? Oh, he played sick. No balls. Now that its clay, he is back, instantly and miraculously cared. His balls keep coming up (undescended testes) during hard court season and normal (back down in their sac) for clay.

May 25th, 2018 at 7:32 am

miraculously cured! (Nadal’s balls in clay season)

May 25th, 2018 at 7:33 am

The main purpose of balls is to have children. You know which one does not have any.

May 25th, 2018 at 7:39 am

look at your name’ The Arrogant Goat’ lol and ur talking about stupid .

May 25th, 2018 at 9:37 am

Where was nadal during early hard court season- he got injured when leading 2 sets to 1 in quarterfinal. Federer is a great great champion that’s why whatever he achieves is awesome but don’t bring weak field n all that crap when others are winning. Skeezer was the one that brought this argument first.Where the hell were u then?

May 25th, 2018 at 9:48 am

Lol. Balls for children but no balls for facing Nadal on clay. That’s the truth!

May 25th, 2018 at 10:17 am

VP,
C’mon yourself. A018?
Fedal was at least in that draw remember? AND…. you had Wawa, Tsonga, Delpo ( way good player on HC ), Djoker, Kyrgios, Roanic..you want to go over the FO field in detail? Probably not.

May 25th, 2018 at 11:22 am