PLAYERS' CUT: TONI NADAL ON RAFA'S 2005 AND 2006 ROLAND-GARROS WINS

On Monday at 19:00 CEST*, Eurosport brings you the best of the action from Rafa's maiden Grand Slam victory at Roland-Garros in 2005 and his second from 2006.

We caught up with Toni Nadal who shared his views on these classic matches. 

Rafa Nadal vs Mariano Puerta, 2005 Roland-Garros final

2005 final against Mariano Puerta. It was an incredible match and just six months before Rafael was ranked outside the Top 50. And now he’s the favourite?

Toni Nadal: "Yes, I want to say I remember this year in 2005. Everything changed in Miami. Rafael starts to win in Costa do Sauipe. He won another tournament and then we play in Miami and in Miami he was very close to beat Roger Federer in the final. And in this moment, I remember, when we went to the court before the final, I thought: Okay, Federer is too good for Rafael. I remember that. I was interviewed and asked about the final. And I said, it’s impossible for us to win. Because Federer is too good. But then Rafael was very close. He won the first 2 sets and in the end he loses. But in this moment, we knew that Rafael was there. And then, when we came to the clay season, Rafael started to play well. He won in Monte Carlo, beating Coria, he beat Gasquet in the semis – a very difficult match. Then we went to Rome & Barcelona. He beats Ferrero in Barcelona and Coria again in Rome. And at that moment we knew that Rafael was one of the best on clay, or the best. Then when we arrived in Paris, we thought that we could win the tournament."

Rafa Nadal vs Roger Federer, 2006 Roland-Garros final

How did you feel going into the final against Roger Federer?

Toni Nadal: "In Rome, Federer played a little different against us and in Rome it was easier for Roger Federer because the court is smaller, and the ball bounces a bit more. Then the ball goes a little faster and that’s difficult. I remember that Federer had 2 match points. One not too difficult, but he made an error with the forehand. But always, when we play against Federer, we know – at least, that’s what I said to Rafael – we have a way to beat Federer: play 2,3,4 times with a high ball over his backhand and then you can go forward and take the lead. I knew that the final would be very difficult, but I thought Rafael was a little better than Roger. Even more in Roland Garros."

*Check local listings for local timings and schedules