"He's 600 in the world": Jiri Lehecka jokes Rafael Nadal isn't favourite for Madrid Open clash for one reason
ATPTuesday, 30 April 2024 at 15:49
Jiri Lehecka faces Rafael Nadal in the landmark tie at the Madrid Open on Tuesday, but he goes in with a no fear attitude and joked that he should be favourite as Nadal is 600th in the world.
Lehecka will probably be a hugely tough examination though for Nadal who played three hours on Monday against Pedro Cachin and interestingly also lost to the Czech ace in practice last week. “He’s 600 in the world so I should be the favourite,” he joked to reporters.
“If I’d go on court scared about what is happening, then I don’t really need to go there. This is something I’m trying to get away from my mind. But we know it’s Rafa and it’s clay,”
“I also know I do have the level to play very good tennis this week, and these conditions are one of the worst for his clay-court tennis. I’ll go on the court like I’m going to win and I will try to show my best tennis.
“It will be a great honour and a great experience for me. We all know Rafa on clay is one of the biggest challenges in tennis. Even if he’s not having the best season, I saw his level against [Alex] de Minaur and it made me want to say that his tennis was back.
“He proved he could play great tennis again. It will be a great challenge for me and I’ll be very happy to share the court with him.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.
mandoist03-09-2026 - From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- In her defense... she has no "defense" and likely could not articulate it if she did.mandoist03-09-2026
- Someone is not enjoying her gradual slide down the rankings, which became noticeable last season. BTW: That reporter's on to something familiar -- the effects of Social Media Stardom on one's Second Priority (Tennis). Shades of Bouchard, Giorgi, Raducanu, etc.mandoist03-09-2026
- Sabalenka seems so unhappy. When you get angry after every mistake you make on court, you’ve got some issues sweetie! She also does seem to be “partying” a lot if you follow her social media (I don’t lolol). Very immature personality.DaveyWavey03-09-2026
- The main difference for bigger names like Alcaraz, Sinner, Zverez, etc. is that they usually make it to the later stages of tournaments while 99% of the other players win a round or two and then move on to the next tournament. The bigger names are playing more, playing longer and therefore more injury issues. The money is great but it all comes with a price!DaveyWavey03-09-2026
- I really like Jodar. He’s got a special game. Bad day at the office. Next.DaveyWavey03-09-2026
- Wow! Parry had to endure the biggest attitudes (currently active) in the WTA: Vekic, Tauson and Parks.mandoist02-09-2026
- ‘Fils arrived just eight days after winning his maiden Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati, where he beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final, and entered the US Open as one of the players expected to make a deep run.’ Fils defeated Tiafoe in the final not Carlos Alcaraz.DaveyWavey01-09-2026
- Great article!!
AceOfBase31-08-2026
Loading
