Rafael Nadal ahead of French Open: Nobody’s invincible

Rafael Nadal. Pic/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal said "no-one is invincible" in an interview on Thursday as he targets a 14th French Open title and record-setting 21st Grand Slam crown.

"No-one is invincible, anywhere," said Nadal whose career record at Roland Garros stands at 100 victories against just two losses since his title-winning Paris debut in 2005.

‘What I can do is fight'

"This year I lost [early] in Monte Carlo and Madrid. I hope not to lose here at Roland Garros. What I can do is fight."

Victory in the final in Paris on June 13 will take Nadal past the record of 20 majors he currently shares with Roger Federer.

Despite his remarkable history in Paris, Nadal, who turns 35 on June 3, admits he remains stunned at his longevity in a sport where he has been an ever-present in the world top 10 since 2005. When asked if he could have imagined still playing in his mid-30s, Nadal said: "Ten years ago, no. But if you had asked me the question two years ago, maybe I would have answered yes.

"Ten years ago, I had so many physical problems that it was difficult for me to imagine that my career would last so long," added the Spaniard, whose career has been plagued by a series of knee injuries.

Nadal will start this year's French Open as the overwhelming favourite once again, boosted by his recent win over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the Rome Masters final.

Incredible on clay

Of Nadal's 88 career titles, 62 have come on clay. He has won at least 10 times each at Roland Garros, Monte Carlo, Rome and Barcelona. Between 2005 and 2007, he went on an 81-win streak on clay.

Rafa, Djoko and Federer in same half of draw

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, the three most successful men in Grand Slam tennis history, were on Thursday all drawn in the same half of the French Open. Having slipped to No. 3 in the world, it was always likely that Nadal, the 13-time champion, would face top-ranked Djokovic before the final. The two great rivals could now meet in the semi-finals this year.

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