Facing Rafael Nadal on red clay was undoubtedly the toughest challenge that could happen to any player. The former Spanish champion broke all kinds of records on this surface and was practically unbeatable in the best years of his career, as his game was perfectly suited to those courts creating a ‘bond’ that is difficult to explain even today.

It is no coincidence that the former world number 1 won the last title of his legendary career at Roland Garros in 2022, despite being in precarious condition due to a serious foot injury. His participation in that edition of the French Open was at risk and only the delicate decision to anesthetize his foot allowed him to be present.

Rafa struggled in the early rounds, raising his level starting in the quarterfinals against Novak Djokovic and also taking advantage of the serious injury suffered by Alexander Zverev during the semifinal. The last act against Casper Ruud was a solo by the Spaniard, who clinched his 22nd and final Grand Slam title.

Steve Johnson’s anecdote

Many former players enjoy recounting their experience when they had the chance to face Nadal on red clay. Among them is Steve Johnson, who faced the legend from Manacor only once in Madrid in 2015.

“They did the same thing to me when I was playing Rafa, which was going to make no difference. He could have played me on anything, it’s ridiculous,” Johnson stated on the latest edition of the ‘Nothing Major’ podcast.

“I remember sitting over on the other side of the locker room and I said ‘guys, another wheelbarrow of clay is not going to make a difference, he’s going to win.

You guys are good, do whatever you need to do, but you could take clay off, you could put clay on, we could go play on the back courts, it doesn’t matter, he’s going to win. There’s no need to slow it down for him today. Maybe tomorrow but today, not an issue’” – he concluded.