This Sunday marks the beginning of the French Open tennis tournament and the continuation of one of the greatest rivalries in sport today. Former World Number 1 Roger Federer versus the current Number 1, Rafael Nadal.
The French Open Grand Slam could almost be renamed the Nadal Open as the Spaniard has entered the tournament four times and has won all of the last four titles. This is the only Grand Slam title to elude Roger Federer.
The Swiss maestro has reached the final three times (2006-2008) but has run into a white hot Nadal every time. To make matters worse it was Nadal who eliminated Federer in the semis in 2005.
But this year could be different. Maybe. Fed-Ex this past weekend defeated Rafa in the final of the Madrid Masters on clay and ended a five match losing streak to the Spanish star. He also ended Nadal’s 33 match winning streak on clay.
So is this Roger’s year to complete his career Grand Slam and equal Pete Sampras’s record of Grand Slam titles? It would be a brave person to bet against another Nadal v Federer final and with his victory over the Spaniard fresh in his mind maybe, just maybe this could be his chance.
Whatever the result we are destined to enjoy another tournament of the highest quality tennis.
