Rafael Nadal Faces Tough Start Against Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the crowd in his match against Dominic Thiem of Austria during the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Rafael

Rafael Nadal, known as the King of Clay and a fan favorite in Paris, faced a challenging start in his match against Novak Djokovic. Despite his unparalleled success at the French Open, having won the prestigious tournament 14 times, Nadal initially struggled to find his rhythm on Phillipe-Chartrier Court.

The crowd, known for its unwavering support for Nadal, erupted with each point he scored, echoing chants of 'Ra-fa!' throughout the stadium. Despite being down 5-1 in the first set to his longtime rival Djokovic, Nadal managed to secure his first game of the match.

The crowd erupted with 'Ra-fa!' chants in support of Nadal.

Nadal, known as the King of Clay, struggled initially against Djokovic.

Despite being down 5-1, Nadal managed to secure his first game.

With the crowd firmly behind him, there was a sense that momentum could quickly shift in Nadal's favor. His track record of resilience and dominance on clay courts has earned him the respect and admiration of tennis fans worldwide.