Rafael Nadal’s Coach Says Novak Djokovic ‘Benefits the Most’ From Tough Conditions at French Open 2020

Rafael Nadal’s road to a record-equaling Grand Slam title received a big boost with the exit of US Open 2020 champion Dominic Thiem. And even though the challenge of Diego Schwartzman still looms large, the anticipation of a Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic final at the French Open 2020 has certainly increased.

A Nadal-Djokovic final would mean that whoever wins the event will take a huge step forward in the all-time Grand Slam titles race. The players usually prefer to play it down until the match actually comes up. But they and their teams are well aware of the potential clash.

Nadal’s coach and former French Open winner Carlos Moya opened up on the challenge posed by Djokovic to the Nadal camp. He admitted that the conditions at this year’s Roland Garros help the Serbian player more than anyone else.

Moya praises Novak Djokovic at French Open 2020

“He is a great player. And I think he is the player that benefits most from all these conditions of this Roland Garros,” Moya said in an interview.

He also highlighted how Djokovic came through the tough test of Karen Khachanov, without much fuss. “Novak is playing at a great level. He played a very great game against Karen Khachanov and he solved it quite well.”

While the prospect of facing Djokovic in the final nears for Nadal, there is still a match to be won before that. At the same time, Djokovic has two matches to win. He plays his quarter-final later on Wednesday.

On the prospect of a Nadal-Djokovic final

“We are concentrating on our work for the semi-final. And if the moment arrives to face Djokovic it means that Rafa is in the final. And that Djokovic has won his two matches,” Moya said further.

He did point out that Djokovic’s quarter-final opponent and Nadal’s countryman Pablo Carreno Busta is a challenge for the top seed.

“Nole has a complicated match today with Pablo Carreno, so little by little,” Moya expressed.

Carreno Busta himself said in an interview that the ball sits up well for Djokovic in Paris this year and does not sting much. He echoed Moya’s thoughts and said the conditions favor Djokovic quite well this year.