French Open News: Rafael Nadal Sees Upcoming Round As ‘Another Difficult Match’

Tennis icon Rafael Nadal cruised through the second round of the French Open care of a three-set drubbing of Mackenzie McDonald, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3. Despite being in top form, the 12-time Roland Garros winner shared that he’s anticipating a big challenge ahead in his next match.

"I am very happy," Nadal said after his win, ATP Tour reported.

"[It] will be another difficult match against Travaglia or Nishikori," he added. "I hope to play a good level. It’s always very special to play here in Paris, especially here on Court Philippe-Chatrier, so I’m very happy to play another time."

The cool weather conditions in the tournament have been unusual for the French Open, which is normally held in May. Despite being the dominant clay-court figure, Nadal shared that he’s constantly trying to improve and gain an advantage over his opponents.

"I am just trying my best every single day. I am working hard in every practice to try to be better and better in every match," Nadal said.

"Today was not that cold, so that's the main thing. Not that cold, the conditions are not that bad," he continued.

The “King of Clay” has dominated the French Open courts for the past two decades. Ever since Nadal gained his first clay-court major in 2005, only Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have won the tournament.

Nadal is in position to tie Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slams if he wins this year’s French Open. Federer will sit out the rest of 2020 in order to fully recover from his knee injury.

The biggest challenge ahead for Nadal is how he can topple the other heavily favored stars who have been playing under the new normal since last month’s major in New York. Djokovic and recently crowned U.S. Open winner Dominic Thiem remain in the tournament and are still in elite physical condition.

Nadal will next play Italian Stefano Travaglia, who beat former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori in three sets, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7), 4-6, 6-2.