Nadal Schedule Drama Overshadows Play on French Open Day One

The first day of the 2014 French Open may have lacked drama on the courts, but it certainly did not go wanting off them. The top seeds cruised through in the day time and early evening but it was the very top seed of the men’s, Rafael Nadal, whose schedule for the next day’s play was the story hitting the headlines.

Rafael Nadal is the defending Champion and eight time winner at Roland Garros. In nine events, he has lost only one match on Philippe Chatrier, on any court in fact. That was in 2009, to Robin Soderling, and since then he has won the title four times in a row. So, with arguably the greatest record of any player at any slam ever, the question of where he would open his defense of the title should be purely rhetorical. Would you ask the Queen of England to sit on a seat beside the throne because those in line wanted to get a feel for it?

The French Tennis Federation (FTF) had other ideas, though, than letting the man who has put more effort into winning at the French than any man in history on to its show court. They decided to put him on Suzanne Lenglen, the second show court yes,  but for a man who has come second best only once in his career at Roland Garros, it seems a little unbecoming.

Pundits and fans took to twitter, some in defense of Nadal, others saying they did not see what the fuss was about. Those who defended the decision of the FTF said that it would give new fans a chance to see Nadal. But what about the fans who brought Chatrier tickets to see Nadal and who were then surprised to see him on Lenglen?  Those with Lenglen tickets might be thrilled, and they may even see something of a contest with Nadal out of his comfort zone.

Others argued that Djokovic-Sousa would be more of a contest than Nadal-Ginepri. But, in all likelihood, both matches will be won in straights, and, besides, has not Ginepri, a former US Open semi-finalist, the credentials to be a feature on an early round match on Chatrier against a top seed?

Nadal, though, has said nothing. His racket, much like his record, will do all the talking for him one expects in what will most likely be his sole outing on Roland Garros’ no. 2 court.