Spaniard not thinking about potential Novak Djokovic clash

03:01 - 22 May 2015

___3787399___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___3787399___2015___5___22___23___rafaelnadal-cropped_1ovi5rzhdnhvo1874er1gzuoq0

Rafael Nadal is solely focussed on his opening match at the French Open, rather than a potential last-eight encounter with Novak Djokovic.

Nine-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal will not allow a potential quarter-final with world number one Novak Djokovic to distract him from the earlier rounds of the competition.

As a result of slipping down the rankings, Nadal is seeded sixth at Roland Garros.

The 'King of Clay' could meet Djokovic in the last eight after being drawn in the same quarter as the Serbian, but Nadal is only concentrating on getting past Quentin Halys in the opening round.

"I would love to arrive to that match [against Djokovic]," said Nadal. "But I have not started the first round yet. That's my focus.

"I'm just focusing on going to this match. If I go to the quarter-final, then we'll see.

"I feel good. I'll try to play a great tournament. I think I can do it."

Nadal, now ranked seventh in the world, has only won one tournament in 2015 " in Buenos Aires " and was beaten by Tomas Berdych in the last eight at the first grand slam of the year in Australia.

However, he has only lost one French Open match in his career - a fourth-round tie against Robin Soderling in 2009.