Rafael Nadal's Bad Seeding Won't Keep Him from French Open Glory

The aKing of Claya need not worry about his pull at the French Open this year. Given his great achievement at Roland Garros in the last ten years, entering the event since the No. 5 seed wonat harm his chances of adding yet another French Open title to his resume. In the seven months Rafa was sidelined with a leg injury, the former No. 1 player on earth slipped down the ATP ratings and currently sits in fifth behind Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and David Ferrer, respectively. Despite his eight wins in ten years at Roland Garros, the French Open will seed Nadal at No. 5, based on the ATP rankings (via Tennis Now). As current No. 2 player on the planet Roger Federer stated, Rafaas seeding wonat make much difference in how he fares in the match (via SI.com ): All of us know he would deserve it. After all, heas been therefore successful there within the last few eight, seven years that everyone knows that he deserves it. Could it be really going to produce a big difference if heas five or one? Not a whole lot, I donat think, at the end of the tournament.AIf I were to play him in the groups or in the semis or any player, itas not the finals yet.ASo the best is going to win. Rafa demonstrably features a great possibility due to the great player he's on clay. Nadal still features a opportunity to surpass Ferrer in the rankings ahead of the French Open (in late May) with a great showing at the Madrid Open, but the difference between No. 4 and No. 5 wonat be all that noticeable. Regardless of the draw, it will be Rafa and the relaxation of the Big Four in hot quest for the name. The largest hurdle for Rafa may be the potential of meeting Djokovic prior to the finals, nevertheless. Should Nadal stay the No. 5 seed entering the competition, a semifinals fit between the two participants could possibly be in the cardsa'and Djokovic lately bested Nadal on clay at the Monte Carlo Masters. That type of defeat isnat the norm for Nadal, nevertheless, particularly on a clay floor. And at an appropriate place at which Rafa has discovered more success than anybody, exactly the same effect will be not even close to likely. With the sketch perhaps not being released until the Friday prior to the French Open, itas difficult to break down the path Nadal must decide to try reach the finals, but thereas no one with an improved chance of this compared to King of Clay. Just like he has done therefore often within the last seven years, Rafa can cut through the opening rounds with little resistance on the way to a finals series with one of is own few competitors. Thereas no sense in worrying all about seeding at this point. Six of Nadalas eight victories originated in a posture outside the No. 1 seed, including his first win from the No. 4 position. As Federer pointed out, his best challengers will be played by Rafa sooner or later in the match, and if he's to gain his eighth name this year, it wonat matter where round he greets them.

Via: Luca Paolini takes the stage and the pink jersey dress