„Can still name all opponents”
For Nadal it is his 14th final in Paris, he won all of the first 13. And Ruud followed them all spellbound on the television. “I can also name all the opponents,” laughs the 23-year-old, who as a child could not have imagined being in a French Open final himself. If Nadal is fully fit, it will probably be difficult for him. Ruud’s backhand is his weak point, a shortcoming that is usually fatal against Nadal’s strong left-handed forehand. But the Spaniard seemed physically exhausted in his semi-final against Zverev, which ended after less than two sets due to the German’s bitter injury. His foot worries Nadal enormously: “I would rather lose the final on Sunday if I had a new foot for it. Winning is nice, but life afterward is more important than any title. Especially after the career I’ve had.” But of course he’d like to maintain his spotless final record. Especially if, as many believe, it is his very last game in Paris.
