ATP Tour rubbishes claim of Rafael Nadal struggling in cold conditions with top statistics

After much umming and ahhing, French Open 2020 finally got underway on September 21. While general consensus is that this was a great move for tennis, players have t h best time at tournament. Used to playing marquee clay-court event in Paris spring, players have h a hard time justing to conditions at French Open 2020. Among most outspoken critics of this change in conditions is 12-time French Open winner, Rafael Nal. 

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What is boring players at French Open 2020?

At French Open 2020, cold wear has seemingly posed a hurdle through competition. Due to pandemic, French Open was postponed from May 24 to September 27. This led to a rical change in wear conditions at event. t only has this forced players to layer up, but it has also altered how ball behaves. Most of speed and bounce that players are so used to is missing this year due to rain-soaked clay court and damp wear. 

Rafael Nal's game is heavily dependent on topspin produced by hard-baked clay, which he uses to bounce shots above eye-line of his opponents. After his round one win over Egor Gerasimov, Nal complained about organizers' decision to switch ir ball sponsors from Babolat to Wilson. According to Nal, this is wrong kind of ball to use on a clay court in humid, cold conditions in Paris. 

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ATP Tour's statistical defence of Nal's performance in cold conditions

Despite his complaints, Rafa has t struggled at all on his way to quarter-finals. His quick aptation to conditions has been hailed by icons such as Boris Becker and his coach Carlos Moya. With his major weapon rendered useless, Rafa has brought out his second-best bet - longer rallies. 

Using an ATP Tour Infosys Beyond Numbers analysis of rally lengths in round one this year and in 2017, when wear conditions were extremely hot, ATP tour has put to bed ory of cold hampering Nal's game. According to statistics, rallies of  0-4 shot length have fallen from 71% in 2017 to 53% in round one this year. This is a clear indication that players are justing ir games to suit conditions. Rallies of 9+ shots have increased by 8%, while rallies of 5-8 shots have seen an increase of 10%. 

In his four games at French Open 2020, Rafa has dominated rallies that go beyond 4-shot mark. He alrey has a 60% win rate in shorter rallies, but what's really impressive is 65% win rate once rallies go beyond 4 shots. If Rafa is producing a 65% win rate on unfavourable conditions, it is little wonder that he is 'King of Clay'. 

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Im Credits: ATP Tour Twitter