No stoping Rafael Nadal now as Roger Federer pulls out of French Open

 
Roger Federer announced his plans to skip the French Open on Monday as he turns his attention to the grass court season.
The 18-time Grand Slam champion was expected to participate at Roland Garros, despite not playing in any other clay court events in 2017, but instead opted to
abandon the second Grand Slam tournament of the season in a bid to continue playing on the ATP Tour ‘for many years to come’.
While Federer was quick to point to his schedule being key for longevity in his career, the imperious form of Rafael Nadal on clay could well have been a factor.
The Spaniard leapfrogged Federer in the rankings after his latest title on his favoured surface in Madrid and he has now lifted three trophies following a stunning 15-match winning streak on clay in 2017.
There were question marks as to whether Federer could do any real damage to Nadal at Roland Garros, though those who are desperate for competition were clinging on to the hope that the 35-year-old’s stunning form at the biggest events this year could help him cause a major upset.

Federer & Nadal titles 2017

Federer Australian Open
Indian Wells
Miami Open
Nadal
Monte Carlo
Barcelona
Madrid

But in his absence, can anybody stop the nine-time champion in his tracks?
Here we take a look at some of the players who could stand in his way, based on recent success against Nadal on clay.

Novak Djokovic

 

 The Serb is not in great form by any stretch but there were signs of improvement in Madrid before being stopped by Nadal in the semi-final and if one man has consistently had the better of the Spaniard on clay it is Djokovic.

In 21 meetings on the surface during their careers, Djokovic has won seven matches – which considering Nadal’s dominance on clay is fairly remarkable in itself – but five of those wins have come in their last eight meetings as the 29-year-old closed the gap on his great rival.

Djokovic-Nadal on clay

Djokovic-Nadal rivalry on clay
Nadal 14-7 Djokovic
On clay since 2013
Nadal 3-5 Djokovic
At Roland Garros
Nadal 6-1 Djokovic
French Open titles
Nadal 9-1 Djokovic

Of course, while Djokovic has enjoyed relative success against Nadal as time has gone on, he’s only beaten him once at Roland Garros – though that was in their most recent meeting.
Djokovic could also have appointed a new coach by the time the event begins, which could offer him fresh impetus, but if the tournament started right now, it would be hard to see Djokovic taking down the in-form Nadal.

Andy Murray

The Scot is another player who’s enjoyed relative success against Nadal on clay in recent times, having won two of their three meetings on the surface since 2015.
However, the world No. 1, like Djokovic, has struggled throughout 2017 and his performances on clay this year have been particularly disappointing.

Murray-Nadal on clay

Murray-Nadal rivalry on clay Nadal 8-2 Murray
On clay since 2015
Nadal 1-2 Murray
At Roland Garros
Nadal 2-0 Murray

Defeats to Borna Coric, Dominic Thiem and Albert Ramos-Vinolas have been less than inspiring and his most recent loss to the Croat in Madrid raised serious questions about his mental state on court.
Should he endure another poor week at the Italian Open, it’s hard to see him challenging Nadal in Paris.

Stan Wawrinka

 

One of two French Open winners on the list, Wawrinka has pedigree on clay and, more generally, in the biggest matches at Grand Slams.
Having never beaten Nadal before 2014, the Swiss has secured three wins in their last six matches – including in the final of the Australian Open – and they’ve shared the spoils since then on clay.

Wawrinka-Nadal on clay

Wawrinka-Nadal rivalry on clay Nadal 5-1 Wawrinka
On clay since 2014
Nadal 1-1 Wawrinka
At Roland Garros
Nadal 1-0 Wawrinka
French Open titles
Nadal 9-1 Wawrinka

However, the 32-year-old has struggled for form since reaching the final of Indian Wells and hasn’t reached a quarter-final of any event he’s participated in.
That said, if he avoids an early loss at Roland Garros, he’ll be as dangerous as anyone in the latter stages of the competition.

Dominic Thiem

 While the top three players in the world, by ranking at least, are struggling to find their best form, the Austrian has really come into his own in recent weeks.

Reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 7, the 23-year-old has lost back-to-back finals to Nadal in Madrid and Barcelona, recording impressive wins against Murray and Grigor Dimitrov, among others,along the way.

Thiem-Nadal on clay

Thiem-Nadal rivalry on clay Nadal 4-1 Thiem
At Roland Garros
Nadal 1-0 Thiem

Thiem also reached the semi-finals of the 2016 French Open, losing to eventual winner Djokovic, and has been backed as a future champion of the event by Nadal himself.
Whether he could stop the 30-year-old in his tracks this year seems a long shot.