2010 French Open

May 23: On the Red Courts of Roland Garros, is the start of the French Open 2010 where it will contain the world’s awaited battle between the two best players, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Federer is the defending champion of this Open and with the Australian Open  title already beneath his belt in 2010, while millions still considers Rafael Nadal as the best clay player of all time and even now.

Nadal, the former world number one is aiming to recapture the title he lost in 2009. The Spanish professional tennis player won six Grand Slam singles titles, the 2008 Olympic gold medal in singles, a record 18 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments and also was part of the Spain Davis Cup team that won the finals in 2004, 2008 and 2009. Nadal was ranked World No. 1 from 18 August 2008 to 5 July 2009. Nadal was ranked World No. 2, behind Roger Federer for a record 160 weeks before earning the top spot. In 2009, he became the first player to simultaneously hold Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and hardcourt. His success on clay has earned him the nickname “The King of Clay“.

The Swiss professional tennis player Roger Federer, is ranked World No. 1 (as of 17 May 2010) by the ATP, having previously held the number one position for a record 237 consecutive weeks. Considered by many to be the greatest tennis player of all time, Federer has won 16 Grand Slam singles titles, more than any other male player. Federer has appeared in an unprecedented 22 career Grand Slam finals, and as of January 2010, has reached the semi-finals or better of the last 23 Grand Slam tournaments, a record streak that spans over six years. Federer also holds the record of reaching 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals and has appeared in 18 of the last 19. Federer has won 4 ATP World Tour Finals and 16 ATP Masters Series tournaments, two fewer than all-time leader Rafael Nadal. He also won the Olympic Gold Medal in doubles with his compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

The toughest grand slam would test the limits of the two competitors as they face the challenge of being number one.