The King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, says tonight’s 8.45pm French Open quarterfinal clash against world No.1 Novak Djokovic could be his laaste match at Roland Garros.
Turning 36 on Friday, Nadal has been nursing a chronic foot injury this year and admits that just a few weeks ago, he didn’t know if he was going to play at this year’s event.
Still, he pitched up and booked his place in the last eight on Sunday night in a five-set thriller (3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3) against Felix Auger Aliassime.
Nadal, though, says: “I am in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros. Two weeks and a half ago... I didn’t even know if I would be able to be here.
“And to be honest, every match that I play here, I don’t know if it’s gonna be my last match here in Roland Garros in my tennis career. That’s my situation now…”
Entering the clash, 35-year-old Djokovic trails Nadal’s record 21 Grand Slam title wins by one, after his deportation drama before the Australian Open, which the Spaniard won, earlier this year.
Still, it was Djokovic who won the last match between the two rivals – last year’s semifinal at Rolan Garros.
And Nadal knows he will be in for a rough ride, saying: “Probably he [Djokovic] will be confident. I know how my situation is, and I accept it well. I’m gonna fight for it.”
Djokovic, who beat Diego Schwartzman in straight sets (6-1, 6-3, 6-3) in his fourth-round match, says: “I am ready, I like my chances whoever comes [in the quarters].”
While all eyes will be on the two ysters, promising youngster Carlos Alvaraz will tackle world No.3 Alexander Zverev in what is another mouthwatering quarterfinal clash at 2.30pm.
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