Fans Pick Rafael Nadal as the Heavy Favorite Against Novak Djokovic Ahead of French Open 2020 Finals

It’s very rare to see an overwhelming favorite whenever Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic collide in a Grand Slam final. However, fans on social media seem to believe so ahead of the French Open 2020 final on Sunday.

The Roland Garros Twitter page posted a video accompanied by a fan poll asking tennis fans their opinion on the potential winner. One would expect the Spaniard to have the edge on a court where he has lifted the trophy 12 times already. But the difference in fan opinions was staggering on the Roland Garros poll.

73.4 percent of the votes on the poll went to Nadal and many believe he will lift Sunday’s trophy despite the challenges Djokovic throws at him.

Why Rafael Nadal goes in as the favorite

Nadal’s imperious record on the Parisian clay invites such confidence in him. The Spaniard has not lost even once in as many as 12 finals prior to Sunday’s. More stunningly, none of his opponents have stretched him to five sets so far in the French Open finals.

While the expectation from Nadal is huge to win the pair’s 56th career meeting on the ATP Tour, Djokovic will certainly make things difficult. Nadal admitted the same in the build-up to the match and said he needs to be even better than he was in the semi-final.

Novak Djokovic will present a stern test

“I know I have to make a step forward. I think I did one today. But for Sunday is not enough. I need to make another one. That’s what I’m looking for. I going to work hard to try to make that happen,” Nadal said after his win over Diego Schwartzman.

“The only thing I know is to play against Novak, I need to play my best. Without playing my best tennis, situation is very difficult. […] Is one of the toughest opponents possible,” Nadal added.

Djokovic is the last and only the second man ever to beat Nadal at Roland Garros. However, the situation is a lot different this year, with a fitter and in-form Nadal.

Nadal will also have favorable conditions as the final begins in the afternoon. He will not have to face the chilly conditions that have troubled him earlier.