Nadal has a habit of truly coming into his own at Roland Garros, as his 100-2 win-loss record testifies.
Nadal has traditionally started his French Open campaigns with at least one claycourt title under his belt but this year got to the French capital empty-handed.
The 13-time French Open champion is chasing a record-extending 22nd men's Grand Slam title. But time may be running out for Rafa who has been suffering from a chronic foot injury that had put his participation at the clay court major in doubt.
Former world number one Simona Halep stepped up her French Open preparations with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over American Coco Gauff to march into the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open on Monday while Andy Murray won on clay for the first time in five years.
The 20-year-old is on the longest unbeaten run in the women's tour since Serena Williams bagged 34 victories in succession in 2013.
Iga Swiatek, who beat American teenager Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-3 in Saturday's final at Roland Garros, went from being a largely unknown 19-year-old, ranked 54th in the world, to instant celebrity status after lifting her first Suzanne Lenglen Cup 18 months ago.
Rediff.com's Satish Bodas goes pandal hopping and offers glimpses of some interesting Ganeshas in Mumbai.
Three-times winner Serena Williams moved into the Toronto Open second round after beating Spain's Nuria Parrizas Diaz on Monday
World number one Roger Federer beat Greg Rusedski 6-3, 6-1 while Marat Safin breezed past Lee Hyung-taik 6-0, 7-5
Penpix of the top men's contenders at the 2021 French Open which begins on Sunday:
Rediff readers tell us how they are celebrating Ganeshotsav this year.
Images from Day 8 of the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Sunday.
'I get scared. I feel insecure. I lose confidence many times in the day. But that is why I keep going because the weaker you are, the stronger you get'
'Your results or your job or how much money you make doesn't define you as a person. As long as you love yourself, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.'
Djokovic first played Monfils at the US Open in 2005 but Tuesday's match was only their second encounter on clay and he needed only one break point to clinch the first set.
While the debate over the political, financial and health implications of holding the Tokyo Olympics in July rages around the world, triple jump gold medal hopeful Will Claye believes a crucial voice is not always being heard - that of the athlete.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the 2022 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Wednesday.
Third seed Andy Murray was outclassed on his least favourite surface by Chile's Fernando Gonzalez on Tuesday, losing 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 in the French Open quarter-finals.
Dithering and indecision are things of the past for Shikhar Dhawan. As leader of the pack, he does not hesitate in taking decisions that are beneficial for the Indian team.
Serena Williams needs to be creative and add variety to her game if the 39-year-old American wants to tame the current power-hitters on clay, seven-time Grand Slam singles winner Mats Wilander said ahead of this week's French Open.
Djokovic did not drop a set en route to the final in Rome
Rediff readers tell us how they are celebrating Ganeshotsav this year.
Iga Swiatek clinched her second French Open title after defeating American teenager Coco Gauff
'Rome going crazy', Naomi captioned the album uploaded on her Facebook page.
10 Interesting Glimpses from the French Open.
Rafa Nadal returned from an injury layoff to beat Miomir Kecmanovic 6-1 7-6(4) on Wednesday
Novak Djokovic has suffered more than his fair share of heartache against Rafael Nadal at the French Open but Sunday's final offers him a chance to dethrone the claycourt king.
'The Megalithic period had a significant feature. Their pottery uses black and red clay.' 'Another identifying feature is that all Megalithic burial sites are oriented towards the east.'
Technology can certainly gain India membership in the comity of modern nations in the 21st century.
Sumit Nagal was beaten by world number 46 Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4, 2-6, 5-7.
She remained philosophical in defeat, however, saying that her expectations coming into the tournament had not been high.
The Spaniard, who turns 36 next week, will next meet Dutch 26th seed Botic van de Zandschulp with a potential quarter-final looming against world number one Novak Djokovic who defeated him in last year's semi-finals.
By winning the Queen's title, Rafael Nadal showed that he would continue to stalk Roger Federer for the next three weeks.
Serena Williams beat France's Mathilde Johansson 6-2, 7-5 while Andy Murray disposed clay-specialist Jose Acasuso 6-4, 6-0, 6-4.
The non-VIP members fight against the VIP team for immunity.
Let battle commence, says Djokovic ahead of Nadal showdown
Kasatkina will take confidence from her run on the Parisian clay.
Novak Djokovic is chasing a record-extending eighth Australian Open title, while Dominic Thiem will bid to become the first man born in the 1990s to win a major title.
'I played a good match, maybe he was a little bit tired from New York (where) he played an amazing tournament.'
Rediff readers tell us how they are celebrating Ganeshotsav this year.
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