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Rafael Nadal French Open 2021 Djokovic
ATP Tennis Players, Daniil Medvedev, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Roland Garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tennis News

French Open Social Slice: Rafael Nadal celebrates birthday; Roger Federer breaks record


On today’s Social Slice, birthday messages pour in for Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s first-round win at the French Open sees him break a Grand Slam record.

The 13-time French Open champion and 20-time Grand Slam champion celebrates his 35th birthday today in the city where he has had more success than any other.

Messages have poured in this morning for the Spaniard, also referred to as the ‘King of Clay’, including this one from the ATP Tour.

 

According to @TennisMyLife68, Roger Federer’s opening victory against Denis Istomin saw him break a record previously held by Jimmy Connors.

The stat is based on winning at least one Grand Slam match per year and the Swiss star now tops the pile.

This year’s Roland Garros featured even more press drama after Yorkshire radio reporter Jonathan Pinfield, had his accreditation revoked for dialling into Alexander Zverev’s press conference whilst in a supermarket.

This appeared to be a step too far for the French Open organisers, though they later reinstated Pinfield after he issued an apology.

Around 5,000 fans were allowed into the grounds of Roland Garros for day four, many of whom rushed to see the American doubles pairing of Venus Williams and Coco Gauff.

Unfortunately for the pair, who have an age difference of 23 years, they fell in their first-round matchup after taking the opening set.

 

According to @TennisMyLife68, Kei Nishikori’s five set victory against Karen Khachanov pushes him even higher in an esteemed list.

Take a look here at Nishikori’s record when going the distance and how it compares to other greats.

Daniil Medvedev continued to improve on the clay with his second victory of the tournament against Tommy Paul on Wednesday.

As stated here by @enricomariariva, the Russian has now won more sets in the last two matches than in the last four years.

Stefanos Tsitsipas showed that he is in fact human when he made a bizarre error which wouldn’t be out of place at the local park.

The Greek lost control of his racket during the service motion and thought he still had racket in hand as he was poised to make a return.

His father’s reaction says it all!


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.