‘I’m Not the Favorite’ – Rafael Nadal Downplays His Chances at French Open 2022

13-time French Open champion, Rafael Nadal, had a great start to the season, as he won the Australian Open this year. Currently, the Spaniard is eying his second consecutive Grand Slam of the season at Roland Garros.

Usually every year, Nadal enters the tournament as the no.1 favorite player. However, this time, he’s not the clear favorite and the main reason is his injury. Notably, he has had his problems with foot and a few days back he aggravated it further at the Italian Open. 

Recently, at the pre-tournament press conference, the Spaniard talked about his chances at this year’s French Open. 

Rafael Nadal thinks he’s not the favorite to win the French Open 2022

During that interview, Nadal was completely honest about not being the favorite this year. However, he also thought anything could happen in this tournament. “Am I the favourite? No not at all. I’m one of the title contenders. Today, Friday, I’m not the favorite. But you never know what can happen,” Nadal said about winning the French Open. (Google Translate)

The Spaniard also talked about playing his best tennis, despite not being a hundred percent in the last tournament. “I’m here to play tennis. If I didn’t think it could happen, I wouldn’t be here. I’m healthy and I’m here to work, and to play tennis as good as I can,” he further added. 

Notably, after Nadal suffered an injury on his foot, talked about playing with continuous pain. Last year he went through surgery on his foot and then came back at the Australian Open to win the title. Now, at the French Open, his fans would hope for the same kind of miracle as he’s going for his 22nd Major title. 

Read More: VIDEO: Iga Swiatek Gets a Cute Surprise From Her Idol Rafael Nadal at French Open 2022

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will be in Nadal’s way 

Yesterday, after the men’s draw came out, it was pretty certain that Nadal had a pretty tough draw out of all the seeded players. He will face Jordan Thompson in his opening match and could face the Canadian superstar Felis Auger Aliassime in the fourth round. 

If he wins that match, he will face possibly the favorite, Novak Djokovic in the quarter-final. Last year, he lost in the semi-final to the Serb and could suffer the same fate this year as well. Even if he wins that match, he could potentially face Carlos Alcaraz, the second favorite, in the semi-final. Earlier, the 19-year-old Spaniard beat Nadal in the quarter-final of the Madrid Open. 

Can Nadal overcome all the odds and win the French Open? Let us know in the comments. 

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