"Rafael Nadal is still the favourite for Roland Garros" - says Alex Corretja

Two-time Roland Garros finalist Alex Corretja believes Nadal is still the favourite for Roland Garros despite noticeable struggles on clay in 2021.

Rafael Nadal has won two titles on clay in 2021 but his play on the surface has been less impressive than usual years. Nadal won Barcelona and Rome but he faced issues in both those title runs. Despite all of that two-time French Open finalist Alex Corretja believes Nadal is still the favourite.

Speaking to Eurosport he said:

"Yes, there are guys out there who can [catch Nadal]. There is Novak Djokovic of course, there is Dominic Thiem, there is Stefanos Tsitsipas, there is Alexander Zverev, there is Diego Schwartzman – all whom can play well. But I still feel it is in Rafa's hands more than anybody else."

Corretja was also asked which player could trouble Nadal most and Corretja picked Thiem saying:

"If Thiem is well, then he is probably the one that Rafa can suffer the most against on clay because of the styles of games. He has got a good forehand, a good backhand, a good serve – he doesn’t need to go so far back to hit his backhand."

However, the Austrian has played rather lacklustre tennis on clay in 2021 and it will be interesting to see how his form will look like at the French Open. He had two final runs in years prior so enjoys playing there.