Nadal's Everest: defend 5,360 points in 58 days

Confirmation last Wednesday of the new calendar of the world tennis circuit, which will kick off in Washington on August 14 As far as ATP was concerned, it made possible something that had long been suspected, when it became known that Roland Garros intended to postpone its celebration until the end of September. Rafa Nadal twould have to face a very hard Everest between the Citi Open and the Grand Slam of clay, a period of 58 days in which he will defend more points no one (5,360) in a ranking that has been frozen from March 8, shortly before the activity was suspended by the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2019, Nadal he was the champion of US Open and Roland Garros. Now you must try to revalidate both titles in two months and in reverse to the usual, first on the hard court in New York and then on the land of Paris. In addition, in between he will fight for do the same in Rome, where he also raised the trophy in a great final against Djokovic. The number one has less work than the Balearic to maintain his position of leader. He defends 2,860 points and a wound, which he achieved at the Mutua Madrid Open.

Serbian has between eyebrows surprise Rafa in its House, in the Forest of Bologna. But, although there are rumors that it could skip the US Open to prepare okay Roland Garrosyou cannot afford that luxury if you want to stay on the world throne and approach the 286 weeks that it was held Pete Sampras, second on the list of always after Roger Federer (310), who won't play until 2021 to undergo a second operation on the right knee.

Nadal has not released yet where will you compete. If it appears in Washington (an ATP 500) and in the Cincinnati Masters 1,000 (who relocates to New York) can only win, because he was not in any of these events in 2019. And he could even get back to number one. With 9,850 points, he is 370 of Djokovic's 10,220 (see table). You can also add in Madrid, where he fell into quarters a year ago. The big question is how it will fit into a cold Roland Garros, with artificial light and options to play on the indoor track. if the rain appears or night falls. “I don't think it's going to affect him much. He does a little bit better heat, but I have a feeling he'll adapt and do well.” Says his uncle Toni, who knows him better than anyone. It is his nephew's turn to climb.

This Saturday the Adria Tour and the UTS continue

The Adria Tour returns this Saturday (14:00, Eurosport 2) in Zadar with Djokovic, Thiem, Zverev, Dimitrov, Coric, Cilic, Troicki, Lajovic, Krajinovic and Dzumhur. In Nice (16:00, Eurosport 1) follows the UTS League with Feliciano López, who is measured with Berrettini.