Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams were the Roland Garros champions in 2013. Two legends remain among the players to beat seven years later, with Nadal seeking his 20th Major title and Williams his 24th in Paris in October 2020.
While Rafa remained in contention for her 13th Parisian trophy, Serena had to withdraw before the second round clash against Tsvetlana Pironkova due to an Achilles injury. After an excellent comeback in the first set, Serena defeated Kristie Ahn in the first meeting, dominating the second set to find herself on top.
Still, the American had to leave Paris, hoping to recover by the start of 2021. Asked about Serena after their second-round match, Nadal said he couldn’t say much as he didn’t know all the details and the severity of the injury.
The Spaniard wished Serena a quick and successful recovery, praising her passion for tennis. In her second match in Paris, Rafa dispatched Mackenzie McDonald 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in an hour and 40 minutes to sail to the Round of 16.
The Spaniard had 31 winners and 15 unforced errors, never facing a break point and stealing McDonald’s serve seven times from eight chances to control the scoreboard and earn his 95th victory in Paris from 97 matches.
Both Nadal and McDonald lost nine points after the initial shot in the first set, and the Spaniard converted them in two breaks and a promising start after a forehand winner at 5-1. The American lost ground in the second set, hitting a game winner to 11 unforced errors and suffering one love.
Rafa wants to win the ATP Finals
Rafael Nadal is past his peak despite winning two Grand Slam titles this season, according to leading sports betting analyst Pamela Maldonado. “I don’t think we’ll see peak Rafa Nadal anymore,” Pamela Maldonado said on an episode of the Tennis Channel: Inside-In podcast.
“I think those days have passed us…It is going to start becoming a thing where, what he did to his body this year, when he got the injection in order to get through at Roland Garros, that is not sustainable. That is not something he can repeat year after year and have longevity in this sport,” she added.
“I feel like the days of Nadal are starting to cave in a bit. Who knows when his retirement could come? But now that he is a father, potentially that focus is going to shift,” Maldonado stated.
