The US Open 2020 champion Dominic Thiem has stated that Rafael Nadal is the best ever player on clay courts. Thiem also feels that the World number two Spainiard will be the favourite for the upcoming French Open 2020, along with world number one Novak Djokovic, who clinched his fifth Italian Open title by defeating Diego Schwartzman 7-5, 6-3.
Meanwhile, Nadal had missed the US Open 2020 due to coronavirus scare. However, the Spainiard decided to gear up for French as he started his preparation for the clay season. But Nadal didn’t have an ideal return to competitive tennis as he lost the quarterfinal contest of the Italian Open against Diego Schwartzman.
Ergo, it will be the first time in 12 years that the World No.2 Nadal will play the French Open without having won a title on clay. However, there is no denying the fact that Nadal can never be overlooked for the French Open as he is the undisputed king of clay.
The talisman has already won 12 French Open titles and he will be looking to add another trophy to his impressive cabinet.
“Nadal and Djokovic are also the absolute favorites in Paris,” said the World No.3 Thiem in a recent interview with Bild.
“He (Nadal) had no hardships with the New York trip, he trained on the sand the whole time. He’s the best player of all time on clay,” said the US Open 2020 winner.
Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem knows how difficult it is to go past Rafael Nadal on clay. The Austrian has lost the last two French Open finals against Nadal and he would be looking to turn the tables after winning his maiden grand slam title at the US Oepn. In fact, Thiem had defeated Nadal in the Australian Open quarterfinals and he would look to continue his good form.
