Rome (AFP)
Rafael Nadal, despite his elimination in the quarterfinals in Rome, remains "the favorite N.1" of Roland Garros, assured Novak Djokovic on Monday, even if the Roman tournament showed "that he could be beaten on clay".
Less than a week before Roland-Garros, Nadal, with his 12 victories on Parisian clay, "remains the one with the greatest chances", commented the winner of the Masters 1000 in Rome.
"Even if he lost this week, he is the favorite N.1. In terms of his results, you can not put anyone in front," he said.
"But Diego (Schwartzman) has shown that Nadal can be beaten on clay," he added of the Argentinian who fell to "Rafa" in the quarter-finals in Rome.
Especially since Roland-Garros taking place in the fall due to the coronavirus pandemic, the playing conditions will be different, with perhaps rain, wet pitches, lower rebounds, he said. he argues.
However, Nadal "prefers high rebounds, that it is hot, that the ball goes fast", underlined "Nole".
"We will see, it will be interesting".
Djokovic, for his part, admits not having "played his best tennis" in Rome.
"I hope I can raise the level for Roland Garros, because it will be necessary if I want to go far. But the positive thing is that I served very well throughout the tournament and I was able to find my best tennis when I really needed it, in the decisive moments ", underlined the one who now holds only the record of victories in Masters 1000 (36, against 35 for Nadal).
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