Rafel Nadal has had a rough couple of weeks on clay, losing last week to David Ferrer in the Quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters and losing this week to Nicolas Almagro in the Quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Now while it's true that losing this early on clay in two consecutive weeks is highly unusual for Nadal, it's no reason to panic. Not only is it no reason to panic, but Nadal is still the clear favorite to win the French Open.
Let's not forget that a year ago, Rafael Nadal was going into the French Open not having played in a Grand Slam since losing in the 2nd Round of Wimbledon to Lukas Rosol. He had also withdrawn from the US Open due to knee tendinitis and from the Australian Open due to a stomach virus, and yet he still went on to win the French Open for the 8th time of his career. This time around, Nadal is entering the French Open after winning the previous US Open and reaching the final of the previous Australian Open. Not only that, but he is currently the #1 ranked player in the world and is coming off one of his best seasons ever. For one to let these last two weeks overshadow Nadal's body of work over the past 12 months is nothing short of idiotic and incredibly short-sighted.
Nadal may be struggling right now, but he isn't worried about winning tournaments now. He's worried about winning one tournament and that one tournament is the French Open. He has plenty of time to get things ironed out and go on to win his 9th French Open title. If he has to only go 75% in other tournaments so as to not get himself injured or exhausted, then that is what he needs to do. It's a lot like Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France. Lance Armstrong trained all year to peak at the Tour de France and every other event was viewed as a means to help him peak. He frequently wouldn't win other events because his best cycling wasn't going to be seen until the Tour de France. The same goes for Rafael Nadal. Nadal isn't going to win all these events because his best tennis isn't going to be seen until the French Open. He's trying to peak for the French Open, and since the French Open isn't for another month, Nadal isn't close to peaking for the French Open, hence he's not playing his best tennis right now. This is what I honestly think is going on.
So while it is true that these past couple of weeks have been disappointing for Nadal and for his fans, there isn't any reason to suddenly say he isn't the clear favorite to win the French Open. He's coming off his best season ever, he was just in the last Grand Slam final, and he's the greatest force we've ever seen play on clay. A two week slump isn't going to overshadow that for me by a long shot and I have full faith that he will get back to his championship level form in time to win his 9th French Open title come May and June.
---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @atp_guy
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