Who Has More to Lose at the 2016 French Open: Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal?

Rafael Nadal's win at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters broke Novak Djokovic's death grip on Masters 1000 championships. It also changed the dynamics of the 2016 French Open. 

Suddenly, Nadal's clay-court prowess looms as large as Djokovic's recent ATP World Tour dominance. 

But who has more to lose at Roland Garros: Nadal or Djokovic? 

The pressure on Djokovic to win his first French Open remains intense. Nadal's win at Monte Carlo brings him back into the fold among those most likely to halt Djokovic's run on ATP titles. 

Until his win over Gael Monfils in the final at Monte Carlo, Nadal had been the weakest link in the Big Four—Roger Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray—this year. 

It's been nearly two years since Nadal advanced beyond the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam. Aware of his struggles, Nadal spoke with the Associated Press (via U.S. News & World Reports) about the importance of his Monte Carlo win.  

"This week I was able to increase my level when things became tough, like I did before. That's something I missed a lot....It has been a very important week. The victory confirms that I am better."

Despite a disappointing year, Nadal's win catapults him back to top-contender status. Perhaps it also seeps into Djokovic's psyche. 

Until his loss to Jiri Vesely at Monte Carlo, Djokovic seemed unstoppable. It was his earliest defeat in three years on the ATP Tour. 

Nadal and Djokovic are tied at 28 for most Masters 1000 wins. But recently, Djokovic has dominated those tournaments. In 2015, he became the first player to win six Masters 1000 tournaments in one year. He is the only player to win Indian Wells and Miami in the same year four times. 

The loss to Vesely highlights Djokovic's vulnerability on clay. 

Prior to the Australian Open, Djokovic told the Associated Press (via Tennis.com) that winning the French Open was a top priority. ''The French Open. It's the one I never won...I'll try to put myself in a position to get that trophy."

Djokovic has been in a position to win that trophy three times, having reached the finals in 2015, 2014 and 2012.

For years it appeared that Nadal was the only obstacle standing between Djokovic and a French Open title. Prior to last year, Nadal was 6-0 against Djokovic at Roland Garros. 

So last year, when Djokovic beat Nadal in the quarterfinals, a French Open trophy seemed inevitable. However, Stan Wawrinka, who had never even advanced to the semifinals at the French Open, was the one to claim the title instead. 

The devastating loss to Wawrinka left Djokovic in tears and added a new dimension to his woes at Roland Garros. No longer was Nadal the singular obstacle to Djokovic winning the French Open. The tournament itself had become the bogeyman. 

Meanwhile, Nadal's quarterfinals loss brought an end to his invincibility on clay. Could this win at Monte Carlo signal the comeback? 

The Oregonian's sports columnist Douglas Perry described this clay-court season as Nadal's "redemption tour."  

"

He remains the player who's most likely to stop Djokovic from completing the career Grand Slam at this year's French Open, even though Nole is as dominant a World No. 1 right now as Federer and Nadal ever were. Rafa surely has a last hurrah—at the very least—left in him.

"

Winning the French Open will do little to change Nadal's status or legacy. Ranked No. 5 in the world, Nadal is too far back in points to challenge Djokovic's lead at No. 1 or even Murray at No. 2. Nadal's also already the undisputed "King of Clay."

A win at Roland Garros would elevate Nadal's profile on the tour. A loss would change little. He would remain what many believe him to be: a once great player in deterioration. 

Other than self-confidence, Nadal has little to lose at Roland Garros, and that may make him even more more dangerous. 

Djokovic needs a French Open win to boost his legacy. He can win 100 Masters 1000 tournaments, but without a French Open title, Djokovic languishes in Pete Sampras land. He would join that list of the greatest players to never win a French Open championship. 

The longer Djokovic goes without winning a French Open, the more pressure builds. It becomes this huge question mark on his career. Despite his record-breaking winning ways, Djokovic has far more to lose at the French Open than Nadal.