French Open Nadal vs Djokovic: what time, TV and how to watch online

With these two titans of tennis facing off in Paris, this men’s quarterfinals is one not to be missed. After sitting out the Australian Open due to his covid vaccination status, Serbian legend Novak Djokovic is making his Grand Slam return at Roland Garros, looking to pick up his 21st Grand Slam trophy.

He will face the man who won the Australian Open in his absence, Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal, who is facing his own difficulties after revealing that he has suffered with the incurable Mueller-Weiss Syndrome, which causes chronic foot pain, for over fifteen years now. Even with this hampering his game, he has ruled the clay court with an iron fist and is widely regarded in the tennis world as the King of Clay.

This draw has not been the easiest for Rafa, having to battle his way through five sets against world number nine Felix Auger Aliassime, and is unhappy about the late start against Djoko. “I don’t like night sessions on clay. I don’t like to play on clay during the night because the humidity is higher, the ball is slower, and there can be very heavy conditions, especially when it’s cold. I think that makes a big difference between the way tennis is played on clay during the night and during the day.”

The match is scheduled to get going at 8:45 p.m. local time, which is 2:45 p.m. on the US east coast, a time that has stirred controversy. Djokovic and Amazon Prime want the evening slot for the slower playing conditions which suit the Serb and the bigger TV audience. While Nadal’s position is clear that he prefers the afternoon, when the clay is faster, he is also joined in his protest by French state broadcaster France Télévisions, who are broadcasting every match for free across the entire country, except for this evening match.

How to watch the French Open men’s quarterfinal in the US