Rafael Nadal declared his love for Paris after clinching the 2020 French Open title to earn his 20th major title and 13th at Roland Garros. He was at pains to make the occasion exclusively about his personal Parisienne experience, paying tribute to the ‘The City of Light’ that holds a special significance in his career and to its many tennis-loving citizens that have graced Court Philippe-Chatrier and supported him over an illustrious career on his beloved clay.
“To win here means everything to me,” he told an audience limited due to the coronavirus pandemic to just 1,000 spectators just minutes after the final. “It is not the moment, honestly, to think today about the 20 [majors] and equalling Roger’s great number. For me, today is just a Roland Garros story. The love story I have with this city and this court is unforgettable.”
Nadal dismantled No.1 Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in Sunday’s final. It was a sublime performance that took just two hours and 41 minutes and left even a stunned Djokovic tipping his hat to Nadal.
“Today you showed why you’re the ‘King of Clay,'” Djokovic praised Nadal during the trophy presentation. “I’ve experienced it in my own skin. It was a very tough match for me today. Obviously, I’m not so pleased with the way I played. I was definitely overplayed by a better player today on the court.”
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Nadal went through the tournament without dropping a set, and it marked the fourth time he won the Roland Garros final in straight sets. Nadal had just 14 unforced errors on the day compared to 52 for Djokovic.
Djokovic admitted even in his post-match interview that he didn’t expect quite such a level of play from the Spaniard. Djokovic was coming off a victory at the Rome Masters and feeling confident as a result, while Nadal, at the very same event, bowed out rather unexpectedly to Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals.
Normally the French Open is held in May, but due to the global pandemic the event was rescheduled to the end of September. Nadal’s seemingly questionable form after his untimely exit in Rome, combined with the chilly autumn conditions, seemed to tip the balance in favour of Djokovic according to SBR Odds.
“He [Nadal] did surprise me with the way he was playing, the quality of tennis he was producing,” Djokovic said. “I mean, he’s phenomenal. He played a perfect match, especially in the first two sets. He was the far better player on the court today.”
“”He keeps going,” Djokovic added in his post-match interview. “No holding him back it seems like. It’s amazing. All the superlatives you can use, he deserves them.”
While Nadal may want to celebrate his most recent Roland Garros victory with the city that hosts the major event, his peers and the sport itself must celebrate along too, with the enormity of his accomplishments in the broad spectrum of the sport and the Spaniard’s place within it destined to reverberate for many years to come.
The 34-year-old ‘”King of Clay” now rivals the Swiss maestro Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam victories in the Open era and becomes only the fifth player (male of female) to reach the incredible 20-major-titles-milestone.
Only Djokovic, who sits on 17 Grand Slam titles, is the nearest threat to level the record-setting duo or surpass them after all is said and done, when the oft-dubbed “Big Three” finally decides to hang up their racquets collectively.
It’s fair to say, all three are in competition – whether they openly admit it or not – to be the one that actually finishes sitting lotus atop the field with the most major title wins by a male in the Open era (since 1968).
Roger Federer was among the first to congratulate his friend and rival of many years in an Instagram post, saying “ I have always had the utmost respect for my friend Rafa as a person and as a champion…therefore, it is a true honour for me to congratulate him on his 20th Grand Slam victory.”
Federer went on to praise the fact he won say his 13 titles at Roland Garros “is one of the greatest achievements in sport.”
Federer wasn’t alone as many joined to congratulate Rafa as players past and present joined in the fray, including most notably Rod Laver and Billie Jean King.
“Congratulations to the King of Clay @RafaelNadal,” wrote the great legend Rod Laver on Twitter. “Winning 13 Slams in Paris is extraordinary, a fitting Grand Slam finale to a challenging year. You’re an inspiration Rafa, gracious and great. Here’s to 20 majors.”
Trying to grasp the enormity of Nadal’s accomplishments and what it means to the sport is impossible, but what is easier to grasp is the very simple fact that Nadal is far from done yet. So, too, Djokovic and Federer, as they continue in their individual quests to smash records and simultaneously outdo each other.