Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will compete for the No. 1 ranking at the French Open, where a meeting in the final between the two would decide the top spot.
According to the ATP, Djokovic would also become No. 1 if Nadal does not reach the semifinals. If the Serb reaches the quarterfinals, Nadal would need to win the title to stay No. 1.
Nadal heads into the French Open with three defeats in his last four tournaments, but says he has improved his game since the start of the clay season.
“Two weeks ago, my chances to play well in Roland Garros were not very high," Nadal said. “But I will arrive now more encouraged. Each week of the clay season got better for me."
In the Rome final, Nadal said he was lacking "some energy in the legs" after some tough matches earlier in the week, allowing Djokovic to dominate points. Nadal played ten matches in two weeks at Madrid and Rome, and had three long three-set matches in his first three rounds of Rome.
"The first three matches were very demanding, taking a lot," he said.
Djokovic, meanwhile, reports his wrist is better after he withdrew from Madrid to rest the injury. ''Luckily for me I played with no pain, increasing the level of my tennis," he said.