For all the tennis fans out there, you might have just witnessed a piece a history that will never be breached. The inflatable, irresistible Rafael Nadal won an unprecedented, record-improving 13th Roland Garros title at the 2020 French Open. This now makes him the joint highest number of Grand Slam title holder along with his longtime rival Roger Federer at 20 slams each. The numbers truly speak for themselves.
It all started at the tender age of 18, when he competed in his first ever Grand Slam tournament, where else, the French Open in 2005. After drawing the ire from the Parisians during the Quarters, the teenager, went on to beat the then world no. 1, Federer in the semis and eventually won his first ever final. Little did anybody imagine the massive potential in the kid, who went on to dominate this particular Grand Slam, made the French Open his bastion and is surely now the undisputed King of Clay and one of the greats of the game.
It all started at the tender age of 18, when he competed in his first ever Grand Slam tournament, where else, the French Open in 2005. After drawing the ire from the Parisians during the Quarters, the teenager, went on to beat the then world no. 1, Federer in the semis and eventually won his first ever final. Little did anybody imagine the massive potential in the kid, who went on to dominate this particular Grand Slam, made the French Open his bastion and is surely now the undisputed King of Clay and one of the greats of the game.
We are all guilty of doubting Nadal’s incredible tenacity, when he was plagued by injuries in 2017-18 season, often threatening to end his playing career long before the due date. Probably, it is Rafas style of play, which is often laborious, hard hitting, back to walls stuff and retrieve the ball at any costs, which surely has taken a massive toll on his body that has resulted in injuries throughout his career. But, credit to the never-say-die attitude of the iron man, he never gives up on himself.
His implausible discipline, challenging himself at every step of the way and willing to put his body on the line, has made him the success that he is today. A dogged fighter, who never lets anything get to himself finely balances the strokes like an artist drawing on his canvas. To top it all, he always comes across as a genuine individual, with great respect for his competitors on and off the court. His rivalry with his nemesis Roger Federer is the stuff that journos dream about writing.
The doubters and naysayers will always try to put spook in his wheels, while citing that his 20 Slams are heavily skewed towards 13 Grand slams on Clay itself, while the rest 7 make up the other 3 grand slams. But, if anybody ever witnessed the 2008 Wimbledon finals against Roger Federer, you would comprehend, that if he could play and win on the grass courts at SW 19, the Spaniard is a force to be reckoned with. Winning a Grand Slam takes years of hard work, practice, patience and pain. Rafa has consistently done this over the past 16 years, while pushing his body to the extremes.
An effervescent and enigmatic man, seemingly leads a quiet life in the coastal town, never boasts about himself and downplaying his chances on the court. If he is not a perfect role model for the youngsters, then it is hard to imagine anybody else filling in the shoes. Day will come when this tall muscled mallorcan man, will eventually hang up his boots, but his name will be etched in tennis fraternity. It is quite safe to say that Roland Garros will be forever grateful to Rafa for gracing their courts and bestowing them with his boundless yet ruthless energy. Records are meant to be broken, but it will possibly take decades, if not centuries for anybody to surpass Nadal’s record of La Coupe des Mousquetaires. Perhaps another 18-year-old is waiting in the wings to emulate the great Rafael Nadal. Vamos Rafa, thank you for being yourself.
