Paris favourite tag irritates Nadal

RAFAEL Nadal was keen to play down his tag of favourite for the upcoming French Open despite proving himself to be almost unbeatable on clay over the last few years.

Nadal will go into Roland Garros as the first player in history to win all three ATP Masters claycourt tournaments in the same year after adding the Madrid Open title to his successes in Monte Carlo and Rome.

The 23-year-old also extended his record on clay to an astonishing 168 victories in 174 matches since 2005 with his 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) victory over defending Madrid Open champion and world No1 Roger Federer in Sunday's final at La Caja Magica.

On top of that, Nadal also returned to second place in the world rankings after earning his record-breaking 18th Masters title.

The left-hander won four successive French Open titles before being knocked out at the fourth-round stage last year and, if he continues playing as he has being doing recently, Nadal is likely to be the player to beat again in France.

However, the Mallorcan prefers not to see himself as favourite for the title, telling the press: "This is what you have to write in your articles and you are free to say whatever you believe. I won't say it because I don't like this tag and I don't think I am either.

"I am very happy with what has happened up to now, I've got back to my best level and that's the important thing.

"I was the favourite before (at the French Open] and I've lost, and then other times I've won.

"Who knows what will happen in a week and a half or two weeks, there is more than one contender, there are many contenders."

Nadal also disagreed with Federer's suggestions that the whole claycourt season boils down to what happens at the French Open, irrespective of previous tournaments.

The Swiss star said: "Rafa's and my claycourt seasons are decided at the French Open, and not before. It's unfortunately – or fortunately – like that. If we win all the tournaments like Rafa now and then go out in the first round of the French, everything will be questioned."

However, Nadal is not of the same view, saying: "That's an opinion that I don't share.

Of course Paris is a grand slam so it has a higher level of importance, but it's much easier to win in Paris than to win three successive tournaments like I have."