Boris Becker believes Rafael Nadal on clay is tennis's greatest challenge
Despite admitting that Rafael Nadal is only at his 75 percent, Boris Becker believes that facing him at Roland Garros would be the greatest challenge in tennis. The former World No.1 has, however, stated that Dominic Thiem still has a chance in the French Open final if he plans his strategies well.
Rafael Nadal has only dropped one set in the entire Roland Garros campaign this year as he would be eyeing his 11th title on Sunday when he faces Dominic Thiem in the final. It has definitely been the perfect ending to the Grand Slam as the Austrian has been the only player to beat Nadal on clay in the last two years in Rome Open 2017 final and Madrid Open quarter-final this year.
However, Boris Becker has sounded extremely confident of a Nadal victory. Backing Nadal, the former World No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam winner has stated that Theim would have the greatest challenge ahead of him despite Nadal not being at the peak of his form.
“However, there is no denying that Nadal on clay at Roland Garros, on centre court, in the final, is tennis’ greatest challenge. I would back him to win, even at seventy-five percent efficiency”, Becker said in an interaction with TOI.
Boris has further agreed that he did not completely rule out the possibilities of Dominic Thiem’s win. The 24-year-old, who has been the only player apart from Novak Djokovic and Gaston Gaudio who has defeated Nadal three times, has also had a very assuring campaign in Paris so far where he has beaten the likes of Alexander Zverev and Marco Cecchinato in the quarter-finals. The Austrian has accomplished himself as one of the better clay court players over the years.
Boris has also mentioned that if he wanted a chance against Nadal, he' would need to remember the strategies he employed in Madrid avoid any slip-ups whatsoever on the biggest stage.
“So, what would Thiem have to do to beat this Colossus of clay? He would simply have to remember what worked for him in Madrid this year and try to replicate it. If Nadal gives him opportunities, he should be confident enough to go for the kill,” Becker mentioned to TOI.
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