To the delight of thousands of tennis fans Rafael Nadal has been confirmed to play Roland Garros 2024.
The tennis legend has carved out a legacy as the clay court Grand Slam’s greatest performer, with an astonishing 14 titles to his name, a record that may never be broken.
No player has mastered the Parisian dirt like the Spaniard and his presence was sorely missed in 2023 as he recovered from injury.
A year later the 37-year-old is set to return to Stade Roland Garros and play there for what is likely to be the final time.
Though it may seem unlikely given his lack of matches, The Tennis Gazette will outline why Nadal can conjure some more brilliance to win another French Open.
Why can Rafael Nadal win Roland Garros 2024?
Motivation to win for the final time
If 2024 is to be the final time Nadal plays at Roland Garros, he will be determined to have a strong run and bow out reminding everyone of his supreme tennis abilities and dominance on clay.
The former World Number One will feed off the crowds who will give him plenty of support to try and regain the title he was unable to defend in 2023. Nadal has previously said he would stop playing if he lost the hunger and desire to compete.
While his body may not be responding to him as it did previously, the 22-time major winner’s will to step on the court and give his best has never wavered.
That being said, knowing he will be competing at his most successful tournament for the final time will put a fire under Nadal so strong that will render him all the more dangerous to his opponents.
Question marks around some top rivals
Given his lack of matches and low ranking due to the lengthy injury layoff, should Nadal claim the Roland Garros crown this year it will be his toughest journey yet.
He can draw players ranked at the top of the game as early as the first round, as illustrated at the Italian Open when he faced seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz in his second match.
But form and fitness around some of Nadal’s biggest threats to the title are unclear. Novak Djokovic, who he has faced 10 times at Roland Garros, has yet to win a title this season.
He has also played six matches on clay this year, his lowest number since 2006. Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner skipped the Italian Open and is currently recovering from a hip injury and has yet to officially state whether he will play at the French Open.
Nadal’s Spanish compatriot Carlos Alcaraz also missed Rome and is fighting to be fit after sustaining an arm injury in Madrid.
With some of the top contenders entering the clay Grand Slam struggling for fitness, not playing their best and possibly vulnerable to an early exit, that may leave the door open for Nadal to progress through the draw and find himself in another French Open final.
He has several matches under his belt
While Nadal has still not played as many matches as he would have liked heading into Roland Garros, he has proved to himself that he can still be competitive and last in a physical battle.
The Madrid Open was an encouraging one for Nadal. After playing just two matches in Barcelona where he was beaten by Alex de Minaur, he gained revenge by claiming a 7-6, 6-3 win in Madrid.
He then outlasted Pedro Cachin in a three set battle that lasted three hours, and recovered well for his fourth round encounter against Jiri Lehecka, who served excellently to win that match.
Though he suffered a comprehensive defeat to Hurkacz in Rome, Nadal knows where his body and game is at and can prepare for a deep run at what is possibly his final Grand Slam appearance.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
