Rafael Nadal is the undisputed King of Clay and his opponents have to often try new and uncharacteristic things when playing against him especially on the dirt. In the 2nd round of the French Open, American Mackenzie Mcdonald was just desperate to do something different against the Spanish legend to go for an underarm serve. Rafa didn’t blink and he literally smoked it with a thunderous forehand. In the following press conference, the world no.2 was asked to give an opinion about the underarm serve and he said that it is a completely “legit” shot. He also added that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t and in the case of Mcdonald … well that didn’t work at all.
Djokovic about the underarm serve
During a press conference, the Serbian ace was also asked about his opinion about the underarm serve. Novak simply said that he completely agrees with Rafa’s statement to comment:
“I saw what Nadal said about it, and I agree 100% with him. So I don’t want to repeat his statement. If you see his statement, I agree with every word.”
Alexander Bublik and Nick Kyrgios are probably the players that use this special serve the most. While it seems that the Australian is using it sometimes to mock his opponent, Bublik appears to be more prone to adopt this unique shot more from a tactical point of view.
Djokovic at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Currently ranked no.1, the Serbian has a 34-1 win-loss record in 2020. Djokovic is playing at the moment at the French Open where he overcame Mikael Ymer 6-0 6-2 6-3, Richard Berankis 6-1 6-2 6-2 and Daniel Elahi Galan 6-0 6-3 6-2.
Novak Djokovic will compete against Khachanov in the 4th round. The head to head is 3-1 for Djokovic.
The Serbian clinched 4 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open, in Dubai, in New York and in Rome.
The Serbian won 82 titles in his career: 48 on hard courts, 15 on clay courts, 13 on indoor courts and 6 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Nadal at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Now the world no.2, Nadal has a 18-4 win-loss record in 2020. Rafael is currently having a run at the French Open where he beat Egor Gerasimov 6-4 6-4 6-2, Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-1 6-0 6-3 and Stefano Travaglia 6-1 6-4 6-0.
Rafael Nadal will square off with Korda in the 4th round. They have never played each other up to now in top tournaments.
Rafael clinched 1 title in 2020 in Acapulco.
The Spaniard won 85 titles in his career: 21 on hard courts, 59 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal played each other 55 times. The head to head is 29-26 for Djokovic. The last time that they played each other, Novak Djokovic won 6-2 7-64 in the final in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney (ATP Cup) on the 12th of January 2020.
Alexander Bublik in 2020
Ranked no.49, Bublik played his last match on the 30th of September when he lost to Lorenzo Sonego 7-68 6-1 7-5 in the 2nd round of the French Open.
Alexander Bublik’s most significant result of the current year was getting to the semi-finals in Marseille.
Nick Kyrgios in 2020
Now the world no.42, Kyrgios played his last match on the 25th of February when he had to retire when playing against Ugo Humbert in the 1st round and the scoreline was 6-3 .
Alexander Bublik and Nick Kyrgios played each other once. The head to head is 1-0 for Kyrgios.
