Rafael Nadal: French Open crowd and tennis legends want Dominic Thiem to win final
RAFAEL NADAL will not be the crowd favourite when he faces Dominic Thiem in the French Open final today, claims tennis reporter Catherine Whitaker.
French Open: Thiem says he has a 'plan' to beat Nadal
Nadal is looking to win his record 11th French Open title when he takes on Thiem at 2pm.
The Spaniard is the overwhelming favourite to come out on top having never lost to Thiem in a best of five sets match.
But Whitaker believes the crowd on Philippe Chatrier this afternoon will be hoping the Austrian upsets the odds and wins the first Grand Slam of his career.
She also claims legendary players John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, who are working as TV pundits for the tournament, also want Thiem to come out on top.
They respect him immensely and they do adore him. But I’m not sure they want to see him win
“They love Nadal here,” Whitaker said of Rafael Nadal on the Tennis Podcast.
“They respect him immensely and they do adore him. But I’m not sure they want to see him win.
“They want a new champion, they’re ready for something new.
“A lot of commentators here are pretty open about that.
“John McEnroe, Mats Wilander, they say the same - ‘I love Nadal’.
“They could talk all day about the way they respect everything about him on and off the court.
“But they want to see a new champion here, they want some interest, they want some intrigue.
“By and large the crowd here will feel the same. Give them something to cheer for Dominic.”