Three times. That's how many times Rafael Nadal has lost in 108 career matches at Roland Garros, the home of the French Open, a tournament he has dominated to such extremes that he has been coronated as the ‘King of Clay.' Nadal has won the French Open an astounding 13 times in his illustrious career, including a run of five titles in a row from 2010 to 2014.

Nadal has been so much of a sure thing at Paris that he can never be counted out in the tournament. However, the 2022 installment of the French Open is littered with obstacles that could make a 14th trophy a very tough ask for the Spaniard.

It's been an up and down season for Nadal so far in 2022. The 35-year-old has had triumphs- he secured the Australian Open title for the first time since 2009- as well has lows- he was forced to take some time off earlier in the year due to a rib injury.

No one should be surprised that Nadal is here, ready to contend for the French Open title once again. However, what should be surprising is just how formidable the obstacles standing between the 21-time Grand Slam champion and another trophy are.

If Nadal is to win the 2022 French Open, it will be perhaps his greatest defense of Paris yet because of the obstacles he will have had to overcome.

2 Major Obstacles Rafael Nadal Faces At French Open

2. His health

Health has always been an issue for Nadal, who has had a history of foot injuries- and recently had a flare-up during his loss to Denis Shapovalov at the Italian Open. Nadal had said that practice was difficult for him, even indicating that he would bring his doctor with him to Paris.

Not even an image of Nadal training at his academy in Mallorca could alleviate those injury concerns. Yes, Nadal has overcome injuries before, using them as fuel for his motivational fire. However, so much of Nadal's greatness at Roland Garros is predicated on his ability to outlast his opponent physically, to break their will.

If he isn't able to be at his best physically at the French Open, that will level the playing field in Paris.

1. A new challenger 

Nadal faces another obstacle, one that has been unfamiliar to him in recent years: a new- and formidable- challenger to his title as the ‘King of Clay': fellow Spaniard and rising star Carlos Alcaraz. Not only does Alcaraz have all the makings of a future Grand Slam champion, but he has proven to be fearless and capable of making big shots against past Grand Slam champions, such as Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz defeated both Nadal and Djokovic en route to securing a title at the Madrid Open. While he had an impressive showing at the Miami Open, a hardcourt surface, Alcaraz seems more naturally suited to the clay.

So much so, that he became the first teenager ever to beat Nadal on the surface. He is the second youngest player to win two Masters 1000 titles- Rome and Madrid- since Nadal accomplished the feat at 18 years old back in 2005.

If Nadal wants to win his 14th French Open title, he won't just have to fight through injuries. He'll have to fend off perhaps the game's most promising young star since Nadal, Djokovic and Roger Federer burst onto the scene years ago.

It might be his toughest task at Paris yet.