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A decade and a half after he won his
first one, Rafa Nadal won his 13th French Open. He defeated the
world No.1 in two hours 41 minutes 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 and it was the most one-sided
men's final since Rafa defeated Stan Wawrinka in 2017.
An ace, Nadal's fourth, on championship
point caught the corner of the service box and there was no way the Djokovic
racquet would make contact. Rafa fell to his knees and raised both arms to the
sky … well the new retractable roof anyway, which was closed for the final. His
face was beaming. This was an incredible performance.
"Yeah, well, of course I played at an amazing
level of tennis," Nadal said. "For two sets and a half I played great. I can't
say another thing. Is impossible to have this score against him without playing
great. Yeah, played a very good final. I played at my highest level when I
needed to play at my highest level, so something I am very proud.
"The personal satisfaction is big
because under the circumstances that we played this Roland Garros, even if I
played an amazing match this afternoon, the conditions are a little bit not the
conditions that I will choose, never, to play an event like this. I was able to
adapt well. I just tried to work every day with the right determination,
looking for my goals. Yeah, I think is one of the Roland Garros that have a
better personal value for myself."
What Nadal achieved with this result is
remarkable. He became the first player, man or woman, to win 13 times at a
single event, win his 100th match at Roland Garros and his 999th
career tour level match from 1,200 and equal his friend and rival Roger Federer
with 20 majors.
Soon after the last ball Federer was on
social media congratulating the Spaniard.
"I have always had the utmost respect
for my friend Rafa as a person and as a champion," Federer said. "As my
greatest rival over many years, I believe we have pushed each other to become
better players. Therefore, it is a true honour for me to congratulate him in
his 20th Grand Slam victory. It is especially amazing that he now
won Roland Garros an incredible 13 times which is one of the greatest
achievements in sport.
"I also congratulate his team because
nobody can do this alone. I hope 20 is just another step in the continuing
journey for both of us. Well done Rafa. You deserve it."
Djokovic was hoping to get close to
Federer and Nadal in the majors' stakes, but he stays on 17. The only bright
spot for him was midway through the third set when he broke Nadal for the only
time to level the set at 3-3. He said there were chances but just could not
convert.
"I don't have much to say but that I was
completely overplayed by Rafa, by better player on the court. I mean, he was
not missing at all and getting every ball back, just playing tactically great,"
Djokovic said. "I mean, I felt well throughout the entire tournament. I thought
I was in a great form. Certainly, I could have played better, especially in the
first two sets. But, you know, just he did surprise me with the way he was
playing, the quality of tennis he was producing, the level.
"I mean, he's phenomenal. He played a
perfect match, especially in the first two sets. Yeah, I mean, the third set I
managed to come back. I kind of found my groove on the court. Then, yeah,
couple of close games. Had my chance, didn't use them. He closed out the match.
That's it. He was the far better player on the court today and absolutely
deserved to win."
For the second consecutive year the doubles
title was won by the German pairing of Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies, they
defeated Brun Soares and Mate Pavic 6-3, 7-5.
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