Rafael Nadal is now a 14-time French Open champion and there is no doubt that he is absolutely the best and most dominant clay court player in the history of tennis. On Sunday, Nadal easily beat Casper Ruud in the French Open final 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.
Nadal now has a record 14 French Open titles and also holds the record for the most Grand Slams (22). Following Nadal’s latest win at the French Open, former Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee shared his opinion on the Spaniard’s dominance on clay.
“How is it possible to win so much on clay? Because it is the most honest surface: all facets of your game are put to the test and are less prone to luck. Very rarely, the best clay court player wins and 9 /10 is the one with the best shot on the court.
Which was Borg, and is always Nadal (king crown emoji),” McNamee tweeted. Last year, Nadal was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the French Open. “For me to have this trophy by my side again means everything.
[It was an emotional victory, no doubt. Unexpected in a way. [I am very happy],” Nadal said in his post-match press conference. “It’s been a great two weeks. I have played from the beginning, improving every day. Finishing [playing] a good final.
[I am very happy and cannot thank everyone for the support received from the first day I arrived here. [It’s very exciting” The week before the French Open, some feared that Nadal might be forced to sit out the tournament.
Not only was Nadal able to compete at Roland Garros, but he ended up winning the tournament. “I didn’t want to talk about the foot during the tournament.
Rafa claimed his 22nd Grand Slam title
In a recent interview with ATP, Rafael Nadal was asked if he reckons post-tennis life is more appealing given the pain he is suffering at the moment.
“I imagine it as I have experienced it many times in my career when I have been out of competition due to injuries. It’s not something that makes me lose sleep, nor do I have any fear of my life after tennis,” Rafael Nadal said.
Nadal highlighted that surgery is the only way to truly relieve himself of his suffering and added that it would certainly end his career as a tennis player. “I have many things that make me happy. If I want, I will be able to get rid of the pain in my foot in an almost definitive way. For that I have to do an operation to fix my foot, and that would mean not being able to continue playing.”
