‘Novak Did Not Have the Answer’ – Vajda Assesses Novak Djokovic’s Game Against Rafael Nadal at French Open 2022

Rafael Nadal is having a dream 2022 season. After his Australian Open success earlier this year, the Spaniard clinched his 22nd Grand Slam title by winning the French Open 2022. It was a stupendous effort by Nadal, who was troubled by a persistent foot issue during the latter part of the tournament. However, that didn’t deter the former World Number 1 from proving yet again why he is the ‘King of Clay’.

En route to the title, Nadal overcame the challenge of his long-time rival, Novak Djokovic, in the quarterfinals. By doing so, he avenged his last year’s semifinal defeat against Djokovic. Recently, the Serb’s former coach, Marian Vajda, opened up about Djokovic’s performance against Nadal at the French Open 2022.

Marian Vajda on why Rafael Nadal prevailed over Novak Djokovic in Paris

During an interview, Vajda talked about the French Open 2022 quarterfinal match between Nadal and Djokovic. He said, “I thought that he would do well in Paris, the game was there, but that match against Rafa was tough. Rafa displayed his best tennis, and Novak did not have the answer.”

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Further, he added, “Maybe he was a bit surprised at the beginning, when he lost important and long games. I think Rafa found the gap in Novak’s forehand, he had a lot of winners to that side. Maybe Novak thought that Nadal would go more to his backhand, but Rafa played risky and went down the line with his forehand a lot, and it paid off. It could have gone out as well…”

Nadal prevails over Berankis at the Wimbledon Championships 2022

Yesterday, the Spaniard overcame the challenge of Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania in the second round at Wimbledon. In a match lasting just over three hours, the former World Number 1 advanced in the tournament with a four-set victory.

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In the third round, the 22-time Grand Slam champion will take on Lorenzo Sonego of Italy.