Unparalleled on clay. Unmatched in Paris
Rafael Nadal, 31-year-old Spaniard, made history at Roland Gross, won his 10th French Open title defeating Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland. Let's look at facts and his all French open finals as he reached this milestone:
FACTS:
- First player to win same grand slam ten times (open era).
- Career record at Roland Gross reads 79-2 (79 wins and two loses).
- He is 10-0 in finals at Roland Gross.
- His title matches never pushed to five sets.
About his all French open Finals:
No. 1: 2005, VS. MARIANO PUERTA
6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-1, 7-5
STAT: Second youngest player to win major grand slam title at Roland Gross, turning 19 just two days before, since Michael Chang,17, in 1989.
Words: "For the first time, I cried after winning a match." — Nadal.
No.2: 2006, VS. ROGER FEDERER
1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (4)
STAT: Ended Federer's 27 winning streaks at grand slams, further preventing him from winning the fourth grand slam in a row.
Words: "I can't say I'm better than him. Since I was born, I've never seen a more complete player." — Nadal, about Federer.
No.3: 2007 VS. ROGER FEDERER
6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
STAT: He saved 16 of 17 break points in the match, winning 10-for-10 in the first set, later 1-for-1 over the last two.
Words: "He kind of wears you out or wears you down. He's the type of guy that's going to make you miss. So you can never really say you played great against him, for some reason." — Federer.
No.4: 2008 VS. ROGER FEDERER
6-1, 6-3, 6-0
STAT: In Federer's 365 career grand slams matches this remains the most lopsided loss.
Words: "Roger, I'm sorry." — Nadal, during the trophy ceremony.
No.5: 2010 VS. ROBIN SODERLING
6-4, 6-2, 6-4
STAT: Nadal lost to Soderling in the fourth round in 2009 when he was 31-0 for his career.
Words: "I'm back." — Nadal.
No.6: 2011, VS. ROGER FEDERER
7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-1
STAT: During the finals, Federer was 14-1 against everyone else. The win made Nadal 5-0 against Federer at French Open and, 6-2 in grand slam finals.
Words: Rafael was very nervous in the locker room. I (told) him: 'It's difficult for you. But it's very difficult for him, too.'" — Toni Nadal, Rafael's uncle and coach, talking about a rain delay late in the second set.
No.7: 2012, VS. NOVAK DJOKOVIC
6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
STAT: This title broke Borg's record of six French open titles. And Nadal was in history books.
Words: "He's definitely (the) best player in history ... on this surface." — Djokovic about Nadal.
No.8: 2013, VS. DAVID FERRER
6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
STATS: When Ferrer led 3-2 early, Nadal came back, winning seven games in a consistently and 12 of 14.
Words: "When I think of all that Rafael has done, I don't understand it." — Toni Nadal.
No.9: 2014, VS. NOVAK DJOKOVIC
3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4.
STATS: This was Nadal's record fifth French Open title in a row.
Words: "I played at the maximum of my power, my strength, and my capability, but Rafa was the best player." — Djokovic.
No.10: 2017, VS. STAN WAWRINKA, 6-2, 6-3, 6-1.
STATS: Nadal saved the only one break point he faced in the match.
Words: "He puts this doubt in your head when you play against him." — Wawrinka, who had been 3-0 in major finals.
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