Rafa Nadal will attempt to win his fourth consecutive title at Roland Garros. And to keep his record perfect 21 wins and no defeat on the clay of Paris. From ever seen, even in times of great Björn Borg, once regarded as the best clay court player in history.

He takes center court to play Brazilian qualifier Thomaz Bellucci today. Good luck Rafa!

In the meantime, Vincent Brousseau-Pouliot from La Presse wrote this really nice article about rafa that we would like to share with you. Enjoy!

Any athlete would normally formed filled. Not Rafael Nadal. It is not that the Majorcan has a boundless ambition. On the contrary, his calm and serene air sometimes gives the impression that he is happy in his role as eternal number two worldwide. If Rafael Nadal does not seem satisfied with his fate, it has perhaps chose the wrong sport. Gamin, Rafa cherished a dream. A dream today impossible to achieve. "His dream was to play soccer for Real Madrid, which is still his favorite team," said his uncle and coach Toni Nadal in an interview with La Presse. If the second World racket gave up his dream of childhood, it is mainly because of this man. Former professional tennis player in Spain, Toni Nadal put a tennis racket in the hands of his nephew at the age of 3 years. Child, Rafa was misfortunes of both tennis and soccer. "Very early, around 3 or 4 years, we realized it had great potential in tennis", says Toni Nadal. "He liked soccer better, but he began to win tennis tournaments. At the end, he chose tennis, but he still prefers soccer". Champion of the Balearic Islands - the archipelago is located or Majorca - to 8 years, he already was distinguished by his passion on a tennis court. "Little, Rafael was a very enthusiastic player who ran very fast, said Toni Nadal. It was very similar to what we see today, but it was even more aggressive." The clan Nadal realises he may be a future star of tennis in the hands when Rafael became European champion in 12 years. At 14, he beat Pat Cash, Wimbledon champion retired. It offered its first global top 10 two years later on clay, his favorite surface. This is the beginning of a long series of successes, that the clan Nadal manages according to the philosophy Mallorcan - staying calm. "We are quiet people who do not make a great case of our success," said Toni Nadal. Rafael Nadal is not the first sports spotlight of the family. His other uncle Miguel has played his professional soccer. For a decade, he was one of the pillars of the national team in Spain, while misfortunes in Barcelona - hence his nickname for the least evocative: the Beast of Barcelona. Of the three brothers Nadal, only the father of Rafael did not win his life in sport. Sebastian Nadal has been rather successful in business. He owns several businesses on the island of Majorca, a company whose doors and windows. Unlike his two brothers, Sebastian has never been a great sportsman. The family Nadal was a little surprised skills sporting his son Rafael. "On the contrary been more normal that my brother Miguel has a child very sporty, Toni Nadal said with a laugh. In the family, the father of Rafael is the one who made the least sport. Sébastien is primarily a sports lounge: he likes better watch a sport that the practice ..." Over the next two weeks, Sebastian Nadal will often eyes riveted on his television in the family home in Majorca, when he will look his son try to win his fourth consecutive title at Roland Garros. The whole family Nadal is also aware of the magnitude of the task that awaits Rafael in Paris. "In sport, the most normal thing is the defeat," said Toni Nadal. (How many times have we heard that? ) The Grand Slam tournaments are all very difficult. It's very complicated to play against the best in the world for two weeks and come out victorious on each occasion. Fortunately, Rafael has a little less pressure now because he won the tournament three times. It is prepared to victory as a defeat. When crowd the field, he tries to play the best you can. With a little luck, all will be well. " Even after all these years at the top of the world tennis scene, clan Nadal more concerned with the training of Rafael that its results in the tournament. "I told him today the same thing as before: to continue to train and improve," said Toni Nadal. "This is the only way to get a win any title. If you involve yourself well, with a little luck, the victory will be there. If you involve yourself badly, is sure this will not happen." Sentenced to win Roland Garros - and why not, other Grand Slam tournaments - Rafael Nadal knows he would never raise the World Cup or the trophy of the Champions League as he dreamed a kid. With hindsight, he did well to listen to his uncle Toni. He may have a passion for soccer, it is a tennis player at heart. It is his little later individualist who is its strength tennis, but he sometimes plays tricks soccer. "Rafael was a soccer player rather individualistic," Toni Nadal remembers with a laugh. "Let's say he does not often passed the ball ... "