‘King of Clay' goes past Borg and ends Djokovic's dream of four straight Grand Slam titles
Spain's Rafael Nadal sank to his knees in celebration after beating Serbia's Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to win a record seventh French Open title on Monday.
The No. 2 seed overtook Sweden's Bjorn Borg, who won six Roland Garros titles, and ended Djokovic's hopes of becoming the third man to win four consecutive Grand Slam events.
In a fractious final pushed into a third week for only the second time, Nadal playing in his 16th Grand Slam final also took his Paris record to a staggering 52 wins against just one loss.
It was the 26-year-old's 11th Grand Slam title, taking him one behind Roy Emerson, three off Pete Sampras and five away from the record of 16 held by Roger Federer.
Great honour
“For me it is a great honour,” Nadal said, clutching the La Coupe des Mousquetaires (Musketeers Cup) under his arm, after the presentation ceremony on court.
“This tournament is probably the most special in the world and having this trophy with me I am really emotional. It is probably one of the most special moments in my career.”
Play had been suspended on Sunday, because of rain, with the Spaniard a break down in the fourth set, but he broke back in the first game after the resumption, having rediscovered the penetrating fizz that deserted him in the damp conditions of the previous evening.
Then Nadal had moaned vociferously about the wet surface that made conditions underfoot treacherous and the ball hard to see, but he came out refreshed on Monday with the bit between his teeth.
“I was anxious about playing. The conditions last night were not right for a Grand Slam final,” he said.
“Today I wasn't ready for the match — not two hours, or even one hour before the match restarted. I only felt ready to go on court three minutes before. Only then did I feel ready to play. Before that I was too nervous.”
He was back to the player who had raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set on Sunday, managing to generate his vicious top spin on the dry balls.
After Monday's early break, Djokovic did all he could to resist the Mallorcan's charge, holding serve until the 12th game when Nadal conjured up a forehand winner after a 10-shot rally to set up match point.
Djokovic's praise
Djokovic's dream ended with a double fault, leaving Nadal to hold aloft the trophy in front of a packed Court Philippe Chatrier. “Congratulations to Rafa and his team for another title; he is a great player,” Djokovic said. “I am privileged to be in this position for the first time. Rafa was the better player and I hope to come back next year and play even better.”
But Djokovic admitted that he had been disappointed when the final was halted for a second and last time on a rain-plagued Sunday with him having taken the third set and standing 2-1 in the fourth with a break of serve.
“I started to play better in the third set. I hoped to play a fifth set. The first interruption (a set and 5-3 down in the second set) helped me. But the second break did not,” he said.
“The playing conditions were not good. But it's not anybody's fault, and it's not the reason why I lost today.
“I reached the final for the first time here, so I wouldn't change anything. Everything happens for a reason.”
The last time a French Open men's final failed to be completed on the last Sunday was 1973 when it was played on the Tuesday with Ilie Nastase beating Niki Pilic.
Roland Garros will eventually avoid late finishes as a main court with a retractable roof is to be built in 2017.
The Result:
Men’s singles: Final: 2-Rafael Nadal bt 1-Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
Keywords: Rafael Nadal, French Open Grand Slam, world record, Novak Djokovic
@Radhik - No need for another court; Have a retractable roof in the main french open court (Phillipe Chartier) and when rain threatens the roof is ON and the game continues, no rain stoppages. As simple as
that. That's what Wimbledon has now on the Center Courts.
Awesome Rafa. Well played.
nadal u have the capabilities to win the title of french open . i think @ present time u r the only hero to honestly claim the french open title congratulations for being the musketeer
@Radhik Hairam 1st rain break helped Djoker come back . 2nd rain break(overnight) helped Nadal come back . It all evened out in the end . But agree that they should have a provision to close the roof like in other grand slams. French Open in general seems to be reluctant to use modern technology . Not using hawk-eye (all other slams use it!) is another example .
No doubt Nadal is an excellent veteran ,has won last six french open titles and is called 'The clay king' but this victory was a sheer luck .As Nadal himself admitted he was at the cusp of breakdown due to his mood and detoriating conditions underfoot.Despite of good skills u do need a psychological mind setup and a good day.And sunday definitely was not his day.The break due to rains surely gave him ample time to recollect himself.What I think is a road to undisputable competition in case of game halts is either some alternate arrangements or to start the game from beginning when it is played the next day.
Game should be continuous to test player's skill to keep up standard; with breaks often, they get recouped and tend to get better; if rain intervenes as it did, there should be alternate INDOOR court where the match should be played and closed; that is real test of prowess - any takers for this new idea ? And rest should be minimal during the game.
There is a very strong misconception that Nadal owns Roland Gross which is absolute fantasy; may be he was- like 4 years ago but not now but he certainly is lucky now. This is the way Nadal works like a bull; he is built like a spanish toro physically and comes out early like a bull out into the bull ring to face the bull fighter. But he fades as he tires. That is exactly what happend in the French open finals yeaterday as he took the first 2 sets and then Novak really had Nadal on the ropes winning the third 6-2 with 2 breaks but luck favored Nadal as he got a respite in the form of rain and today again he came out like a bull at the start and finished off the finals. If there was NO rain stoppage yesterday, Nadal was history and Novak would have bagged his last grand slam but then luck was NOT on Novak's side pure and simple.
congratulation Nadal, the king of Rolland Garros. Rain also played its part in the match. Who is favoured with it? In this circumstances continuing the previous days match is not fair. I think it should restart as a fresh match.
congrats..
Weather God also helped him. Had the play continued on Sunday, the
results might have been different.
Thank God !!! We have these three greats of tennis playing each other so
hard. As said in one of the articles of The Hindu,"Novak has forced
Roger and Rafa to lift their game to match him", and now Rafa is doing
the same to him. Thank God again!!!
What a tame end to a grim, no-holds barred, relentless, fight! Only Nadal
appears to have the physical stamina and determination to win against
such a player.
congractulation to nadal
Thanks@ Prakash.
So happy for Nadal.. He is just such an amazing competitor and I root
for him for just that..He embodies the "never give up" spirit!
congrats Rafa.I am so happy about this win.
my hearty wishes to you !
keep going on this winning cups festival!
RAFAEL NADAL he is the man of the french open title.
Personally wanted Djoker to win , but Nadal, you r the best when it is roland garros .
Congrats
Nadal is truly clay King. This French open really belong to him.
Djokovic may be the winner in other grand slam but nobody can defeat
Nadal in French Open, he has proved again.
What a match! It was a treat watching Nadal and Djokovic lock horns in
the much awaited French Open Final.Nadal's never-say-die spirit has won
him yet another grand slam title.For Nadal,this historical victory would
be the sweetest.Kudos to the Spaniard for clinching the French Open for
a record 7 times!!
I'm thrilled over the victory of Nadal. Stupendous achievement, indeed. Hail the King Nadal!
Congrats
Tennis is one game where the game's professional body (ATP) and the organization of the game worldwide seem to be working smoothly mainly because it is an individual sport. The world No. 1 ranked player cannot hide behind a team to carry him through. Younger players obviously are fitter and their reflexes sharper. It was clear in the semi final match of Djokovic-Federer. It has been such a joy to watch Federer's tennis for years. But then he is beginning to decline with age- and he is doing it so gracefully. Tendulkar, please note! Federer is not clamouring to be a politician either.
Nadal is a fiercely determined and aggressive player- young and supremely fit. Djokovic seems to be carrying some burden in his mind. Could it be the burden of his nation? He should note that Tennis being an individual sport carries no national expectation. He has nothing to prove to his country and to the world except that he is a great individual tennis player. We all rejoice watching him play.
It was an awesome display of power and placement between the world No. 1 and 2 in the final. For one point there were 44 exchanges of power literally on all four corners on both courts. There were equally deft soft placements to culminate the arrogant power in five instances. Thoroughly enjoyed the four set game. 7 times winner on clay -- Rafel you are the king of clay courts. It is equally heartening two Indians- Mahesh and Sania also won the finals for mixed doubles on the same court.... V Suresh
Bull king.... Nadal... u r done once again:)... Gr8 going NaDaL..Wishing you to grab many more titles in coming future...
Please Email the Editor