Rafael Nadal warned of French Open problem by Michael Chang
MICHAEL CHANG thinks Rafael Nadal may find it difficult to win the French Open because of fatigue.
Nadal is hoping to win every clay tournament this season in the build-up to Roland Garros.
The world No 1 has already retained his Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open titles and now he is gearing up for the Madrid Open and Rome Open.
However, if the Spaniard goes through to the final of each event it could take its toll come the end of May.
Nadal’s run has been compared to that of former great Stefan Edberg, who won a series off summer tournaments in 1990, including Wimbledon, but was knocked out of the first round of the US Open.
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If he goes and wins Madrid and Roma, is that going to take a little bit out of him? I’m not sure
“For Nadal to have won his 11th Monte Carlo, his 11th Barcelona and he’s going for his 11th French Open,” Chang told tennis podcast Beyond the Baseline.
“You would never in the world have thought somebody could have accomplished that but he has.
“You have to take a note on how the rest of the clay season goes.
“If he goes and wins Madrid and Roma, is that going to take a little bit out of him? I’m not sure.
“There was one year at the US Open where Stefan Edberg won everything during the summer then got to the US Open and was just tired.
“He ended up losing in the first round.”
Nadal is currently preparing for the Madrid Open which starts next week.
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The 31-year-old is looking forward to the event because of the support he receives from his fellow countrymen.
"Obviously, we have had the good fortune that the public in Madrid always responds, both at the Casa de Campo and at the Caja Magica," he said.
"I will tell you something, if there is any place in the world where I feel that the public helps me win is in Madrid."