Nadal and Soderling blow hot and cold over preferred final weather conditions

RAFAEL Nadal and Robin Soderling are at odds over the weather as they prepare to resume their rivalry in today's French Open final.

• Nadal is hope to win his fith title at Roland Garros today Pic Getty

The last Sunday at Roland Garros will see Nadal face the only man ever to have beaten him on the Parisian clay, with Soderling all that stands between the Spaniard and his fifth title.

Thunder storms are forecast and Nadal admits that could play into his opponent's hands as Soderling looks to upset the 24-year-old for the second successive year.

Asked what conditions he would prefer to play in, Nadal simply said: "Always sun."

Elaborating, the world No.2 added: "First thing, because sun is energy. Second thing, because everything is nicer with the sun than with the rain, wind, these kind of things. Third point, because with the sun, my ball is getting more topspin than with rain and with the other conditions. So three points that I think."

And while Soderling might not necessarily be doing a rain dance before taking to Philippe Chatrier Court tomorrow, he left no doubt what kind of climate he wants.

"Of course it's tougher when it's warmer, especially physically," said the 25-year-old, who expended plenty of sweat during his five-set semi-final victory over Tomas Berdych. "I think I can do well in any conditions, but against Tomas, it was tough."

Soderling followed up 2009's stunning success over Nadal by dumping out Roger Federer this year in a wet and windy quarter-final.

Asked if similar conditions tomorrow could play into the Swede's hands, Nadal said: "Well, ask Roger about it.

"When the court is humid and wet, the ball doesn't bounce back as high. It's much heavier, so it's more difficult to play. Whether it's a sunny day or a rainy day, I will play my best tennis."

Soderling's recent success at Roland Garros – and Berdych's march to this year's semi-finals – has raised questions about whether the traditional clay-court tactics of prolonged rallies may be on the wane.

Nadal dismissed such talk out of hand, saying: "I disagree with that 100 per cent. If we talk about the clay-court season, Berdych or even Robin weren't the best players during the whole clay season.

"The clay season is not only Roland Garros. We have to talk about Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Madrid."