Paris, Sept 25 (AFP/APP):The undisputed king of clay, Rafael Nadal is one title away from matching Roger Federer’s all-time Grand Slam record, but 15 years on from the Spaniard’s first French Open triumph he appears more vulnerable than ever at his beloved Roland Garros. Nadal owns an astounding 93-2 record in Paris dating back to his debut in 2005, when, still a teenager, he became the first player to win the French Open on his first attempt since Mats Wilander in 1982. Fast-forward to the present day, and his 19 Grand Slam crowns — a record 12 of which have come at Roland Garros — coupled with Federer’s absence after knee surgery leave him on the brink of history at a venue where he has won each of the past three years. Yet a multitude of factors, mostly beyond his control, have conspired against Nadal and offered hope to his chief rivals — namely Novak Djokovic and recent US Open winner Dominic Thiem. Boris Becker, a former coach of world number one Djokovic, suggested the rescheduled tournament — pushed back from its traditional spring billing due to the coronavirus pandemic — will be tougher than usual for Nadal. The heavier … Continue reading Nadal eyes Federer record, 15 years after first Roland Garros title