It’s deja vu in the French Open men’s singles final. Dominic Thiem just hopes the outcome is a lot different this time around.
For the second straight time, Thiem and Rafael Nadal will battle for the Coupe des Mousquetaires on Sunday afternoon. To the surprise of no one, the 2018 title match went Nadal’s way in lopsided fashion–6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to be exact.
Overall, the 11-time Roland Garros champion leads the head-to-head series 8-4–including 7-4 on clay. Their lone encounter away from the slow stuff is their most memorable to date, as Nadal outlasted Thiem 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(5) in the quarterfinals of last year’s U.S. Open. They most recently faced each other in the Barcelona semis earlier this spring, when Thiem engineered a 6-4, 6-4 upset.
This, of course, is a totally different situation and a much different Nadal. The world No. 2 has heated up on the heels of a March knee injury and unusual clay-court losses in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, and Madrid to capture the Rome title and storm into Sunday’s final–his 12th in 15 career appearances in Paris–without any trouble. David Goffin stole a set in round three, but Yannick Hanfmann, Yannick Maden, Juan Ignacio Londero, Kei Nishikori, and Roger Federer all bowed out in straights.
Thiem’s roller-coaster fortnight was a wild ride early, smoothed out a bit with convincing wins over Gael Monfils and Karen Khachanov, and then went haywire again in the semifinals against Novak Djokovic. After a total of four hours and 13 minutes spanning both Friday and Saturday, the fourth-ranked Austrian survived a 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 thriller against the top-seeded Serb that featured three significant rain delays.
“Novak, Dominic, and myself are maybe the players who have had the best results on [this] surface,” Nadal noted. “So (in) the finals, (it) will be the most complicated opponent for me. In a final like this one, the opponent is always at a very high level–but that’s the rule of sports. That’s why this sport is even more interesting and even better.”
Thiem vs. Djokovic was certainly an interesting one, not only due to competitiveness but also because of the somewhat controversial stopping and starting. Now the question is if the underdog can challenge–and even beat–a second straight all-time-great opponent on a second straight day.
“I think it’s really important that I go into the match with the belief to win,” Thiem explained. That’s the most important thing…. I (have) had some very good matches in the past against him on clay, and I also beat him on clay already.
“Of course it’s big dream for me to win [the] match tomorrow, to win this title. But I also have in my head that [maybe] it’s not happening tomorrow–which can happen easy because of the opponent [who] is on the other side of the net. So I think I don’t make (for) myself too much pressure.”
Thiem is absolutely correct that it may not happen for him on Sunday, as Nadal is obviously a massive favorite for multiple reasons. The 33-year-old Spaniard is a 17-time Grand Slam champion, is riding an 11-match winning streak, and has played only two matches–and just six sets–dating back to last Sunday night. Thiem, on the other hand, will be taking the match court in same shape or form for a fourth consecutive day.
It is just about impossible to forecast a Thiem victory, but his current clay-court level and his experience–albeit not a good one–from last year should help him make it more competitive.
Pick: Nadal in 4
[polldaddy poll=10338594]
who ya got?
BECAUSE IT IS FINAL MATCH NADAL WILL TAKE IT IN 3:0
Nadal in 3 devastating sets 12th RG
I favored Nadal in this potential matchup before the tournament. Thiem playing for the fourth straight day only makes Rafa a more overwhelming favorite. Part of the blame goes to RG for not yet having ability to finish matches in the same day, but part of it is also obviously one Thiem and how he had the opportunity to finish today’s match sooner.
However you look at it though, Rafa would have already been favored to win this match had there not been a big difference in rest days, so this just makes it damn-near a foregone conclusion as far as I’m concerned.
If you want to have even just a realistic shot of knocking off Rafa at RG these days, 3 things have to happen, and it must be ALL 3 of them: 1.) You have to be either Novak Djokovic or Dominic Thiem. 2.) You have to be well-rested and have no questions as to your physical ability to give it your all. And 3.) Rafa would need to play at at least a slightly lower level then usual.
Thiem made it to Rafa, so that’s the first requirement. But I just have no idea how he will be able to be physically 100% when he’s played all these days in a row. I don’t give a damn if his match against Novak was broken up- he has to be drained both physically and mentally after having to fight so hard to overcome the world #1 who was on a 26-match slam win streak.
Conversely, Rafa could not be any more fresh and ready to go than he is now. And that means that my #3 factor is all but guaranteed to NOT happen. The chance of Rafa’s level dropping is seriously like, 0.0000001%. When Rafa is in the RG final, having cruised through every opponent, with no back-to-back days of playing, and even an extra rest day before the SF, not to mention having just won Rome, there is just no way that you won’t get 100%-ready-to-destroy-everyone Rafa!
Again, in my opinion, the outcome of this Final is likely not related to the rest discrepancy. The only person who would have any realistic shot at all of beating THIS Rafa at RG would be a very in-form Novak, and even then Novak would have to play the absolute greatest match of his career. Dominic Thiem is amazing- without question! But he would most-likely not win this match if he was more rested, and he damn sure won’t win this match playing his 4th straight day.
Believe me, people- I will have no problem eating my words of some sort of miracle happens for Thiem. It would be unquestionably the greatest single victory that I would have ever seen. Of course miracles can happen, but not tomorrow.
I see an almost identical score line toast year’s final, if not worse. Rafa in 3 quick sets.
Djoko had played Rafa twice in the FO final and Rafa still beat him in four sets (it couldve been three sets in 2012 if not for the rain which saved Djoko for a set). In the 2014 final, Rafa wasn’t really at his best, neither was Djoko and Rafa ended up beating Djoko in four sets.
The closest Djoko got to against a Rafa who’s playing well (not counting 2015 as Rafa was horrible that year) was that 2013 SF, still Rafa came out on top in five sets.
Djoko’s playing his greatest match of his career in order to beat this Rafa in the final? Well so far that didn’t happen and may not happen so its not proven (that Djoko could beat Rafa in the final) and so it remains a speculation.
Great summary on the prospects of Dominic Theim winning.
Thiem has got the goods to beat Rafa on Clay.
After his performance against Novak I think he can beat Rafa in RG too but, maybe not this time, he’s bound to be a tad slower for this match. Rafa in 4
For some reason I feel anxious about tomorrow. Everyone wanting Dom to win and thinking he will be easier than Novak makes me nervous. Maybe Dom will be tougher. I don’t want rafa to lose just because Dom is a nice guy so it’s somehow ok. I honestly don’t care how Rafa gets #12 just as long as he gets it. If he beats Dom playing on one leg that’s fine by me!!☺☺
Amy..being anxious is normal. I am anxious too as we want rafa to win. I will not count thiem out even a bit. He has been in final last year so he has that experience. All the first time jitters will not be there though the nervousness of contesting a slam final will be there for both. Thiem has beaten rafa 4 times on clay so he knows. I am just hoping rafa sums up every bit of exp n energy n intangibles too to take the title tomm
Are you going to watch sanju??
No …I want to but I will be nervous…I will watch india australia wc that will happen in parallel..im not that much a cricket fan n i am not emotionally invested…so I can watch more relaxed just hoping for a good match…
i’d feel good about Rafa’s chances vs. either
I didn’t think Dom played very well either today or yesterday – hope he isn’t going to suddenly up his game tomorrow. He is surely not going to incessantly use slice against rafa!!
Rafa of course , im with Amy , just want Rafa to get 12, and 18 lol, DTs a nice guy but i want Rafa to win 🙂
Yeah Alison don’t give a damn about fair play, great match and so on. Just want rafa to win and preferably in a way which doesn’t give me a nervous breakdown!
#12
#18
Dominic won’t win this year but if he keeps up the consistency and gets any stronger, he’ll be hard to beat – a bit like Stan on clay at his best. Maybe next year for Thiem – if he can be a more efficient in reaching the final.
Rafa in 3 for his 18th GS.
#12 RG
I find myself often in the position of wanting a big 5 set match, but I know my poor mind couldn’t handle it! I feel like Rafa should win this, but I wouldn’t be massively surprised, or even a little upset, to see Thiem take the title. Even if he doesn’t, just look how much better he’s gotten since he first played Rafa at RG in 2014. So much more complete!
It’s very unfortunate that Thiem doesn’t get a full day off.
Yes, I agree – a day off for Theim would certainly help his chances. But…
That was truly some of the best tennis I’ve seen from him in the SF fighting off Nole in the end. His forehand shots were punishingly on target – especially when he needed them most.
Theim can win a set if the experienced gained from last year’s final is greater than the physical loss of having no days rest between play. Im leaning towards Nadal 3-zip and will probably hedge my bet with Nadal 3-1. There’s no way Theim wins 2 sets or this match.
Nadal in 5
Will be interesting to see how Thiem copes with facing another member of the big 4 after beating one. He had a torrid time against Djoko after beating Rafa in Rome in 2017, got beaten by Djoko in Madrid after beating Roger, got smoked by Rafa after beating Djoko in paris in 2017. First set key as always. Rafa winning set 1 may suck all belief out of Thiem
This final will be closer than last years , Nadal in four tight
Thiem hasn’t had much rest otherwise I might pick him to win
Hoping for Rafa in 3. Interestingly no set of Rafa has gone past the ten game mark in this tourney
I think Nadal 3-0 but my bet is on Nadal 3-1. I like the 3.50 odds on offer.
Regardless of the circumstances, if Theim doesnt win a set this year it will be devastating for his future prospects of holding an RG title while Rafa is still playing IMO. Nadal has a 6-0 record against Theim at RG.
On paper, it seems tennis gods have again chosen Thiem as a sacrificing goat to the clay GOAT to carry out annual ritual for Nadal.
But the questions are:
Can Thiem revolt against the historical wishes of tennis gods against all odds? Can tennis gods again send hurricane wind to again stop someone who can genuinely beat the dearest of them? Can ‘twister wind’ again massively diminish and hamper the important capabilities of someone – just like Federer in Semifinals – who can genuinely beat the special of Tennis gods on gods’ favorite land surface? Can Thiem recover the physical abuse he had to suffer due to Organizers’ mismanagement and Djokovic’s selfish attitude of not to continue on Friday? Can Thiem take inspiration from Wawrinka and recognize the importance of “Ever tried ever failed no matter Try again fail again Fail better”?
BUT THE BIG QUESTION: CAN THIEM JUST BRING THE 70% CALY PEAK OF 2015 WAWRINKA? IF THE ANSWER OF THIS BIG QUESTION IS YES, THEN THIEM SHOULD WIN THIS FRENCH OPEN 2019 FINAL AGAINST CLAY GOAT IN 4 GLORIOUS SETS
Based on my calculations, the probability of Theim winning 2 sets is approx. 1% and winning the match, well below 1%. The probability of him winning a set is around 30-40% with Nadal winning in straight 60-70%.
The key point from a betting perspective, there’s much difference between in probability between Nadal winning 3-0 and 3-1 so the value is definately with the 3-1.
‘Not much difference’
It is time to have a new champ. This is a grand slam final. It is not an ATP premier tournament. Thiem will fight all the way.
The King in 3
Courier: ‘Thiem Needs To Do Something Extraordinary’
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/nadal-thiem-roland-garros-2019-courier-preview
I want to say a quick “Hi” to all my fellow rafa- and tennis-fans☺
These days I only tune in for the big events.
Considering Rafa’s recent troubles with diverse ailments, it’s a bit surreal to see him already in his second slam final of the year – although a RG final is of course far less surprising than the earlier AO final. But it was far from a given after a for Rafa’s lofty standards very mediocre clay season. But these days he has the uncanny ability to peak exactly for the big events. Therefore I’m not overly worried by his recent straight set loss against Thiem in Barcelona, because since then Rafa has gathered strength on clay like a hurricane over the ocean. Even a real hurricane couldn’t stop him against Fed😉 And while a 12th title in Barcelona was totally irrelevant for the big picture, a 12th RG title would mean a lot. Although Rafa’s clay GOATness is already established beyond any reasonable doubt for decades to come, an 18th slam trophy would bring his overall haul ridiculously close to Fed’s count of 20 trophies and add even more fuel to the raging GOAT debate.
Let’s look more closely at the big picture and the race between Roger, Rafa and Novak for historic GOATness: If Novak had really managed to win a second RG trophy today, his case for being the present GOAT would’ve been bolstered immensely: he would’ve been just one trophy short of Rafa’s slam count, and it probably would’ve been only a matter of time for the Djoker to catch up with or even leap-frog Rafa. It very well could’ve happened this very season! And completing two Nole-Slams would’ve been more valuable in my book than Roger’s still slightly higher slam count. Considering that Novak has a positive head-to-head against Rafa and Roger and would’ve won each slam at least twice, leads me to the conclusion that Novak could’ve rightfully considered himself to be the current and probably future GOAT – if he would’ve won the RG trophy today. Therefore he lost far more than a slam semi-final yesterday. It’s highly unlikely at his age that he will be ever again in the position to complete another Nole Slam. Even the chances for another shot at a second RG title have become a bit more remote, since the new generation, led by Thiem, has clearly gained some ground, and as of now there’s no reason to believe that Rafa won’t be a strong clay contender next year. Therefore I consider Novak to be the biggest loser as far as the overall picture of tennis history is concerned. And although Rafa recently lost a match on clay against Thiem but won his last match against the Djoker, I think that Thiem is the slightly easier opponent today. The pressure should be considerably lower for Rafa because a loss against Thiem has far less implications than another loss at RG against Novak would’ve had.
That said, a win over Thiem is far from a given for Rafa and he will have to earn it with great tennis. Unlike other highly touted next-gen players (Zwerev – cough, cough…) Thiem has proven himself already to be a real contender – at least on the red dirt. He’s definitely the most likely future RG champion. I hope that Rafa will be able today to postpone the inevitable 😉
Yes littlefoot, I agree about Djoko losing at this FO, that it’s a great impact on his claim to be greater than Fedal, than just merely losing a SF at a slam.
So, for that reason, I don’t wish for Djoko to make it to the final, when the hype about his 2nd Nole slam would be simply unbearable.
I know Thiem won’t be an easy opponent for Rafa, and that’s because Rafa may not play like he did in 2017 and 2018 finals (imo that Rafa would beat this Thiem convincingly like the way he had beaten Stan in 2017).
Thiem is young and very fit physically, and he’s very powerful from the baseline. So, if Rafa wants to beat this Thiem, he has to use all his court craft, his experience and plays his best tennis to beat him.
I think without the wind, Thiem will be able to play like he did at Barcelona, whether he could do that in BO5 sets vs Rafa assuming Rafa is ready for that, we’ll have to wait and see.
To me Rafa should be able to win in four sets, he may win the first set and loses the second as he usually has lapses in second setz (just like in the SF against Fed, though Fed couldn’t capitalize in windy conditions).
As a rafafan I was also very content that Novak missed the final. As you said, the hype would’ve been unbearable and the pressure would’ve been immense.
I’m very glad that things went well today for Rafa ☺☺☺
Congrats to Thiem and his fans for a great RG campaign.
The late money is coming for Nadal now. In from 1.25 to 1.21.
Weather looks to be a non-issue.
Are we commenting on the match on this thread?
God I feel awful!
Hi guys, Much like Sanju, I will not be watching the match. I am going to try to not peek in here for the next couple hours and hopefully all goes well for Rafa in the first set and then the second.. Winning the first set should do it but that makes me so nervous. You guys enjoy and good luck to you all. Hoping for a good celebration tonite.
Obligatory Soderling footage!
Thanks so much for showing this every year!😬
They keep going on about rafa having cramp in his hand last year. As if I needed reminding!
The nerves have kicked in big time! Can I watch it? I am a wreck!
Can Rafa hold off Thiem one more time? After all Rafa has been through, I really want to see him get #12. It’s been a hard road to get here this year.
Vamos Rafa! Always! 😍
Come on Rafa!!
Thiem playing well.where is Mona to bash him over the head?
Omg.. Thiem made some Rafa like retrieves on the deuce point. Looks like this will be dog fight. Hope Rafa can pounce when Thiems level goes down
Rafa not hitting with depth; he has the topspin but not the depth. His shots barely passes Thiem’s service box. Rafa’s all court game is there to help him though.
Rafa a bit nervy! Thiem playing more relaxed!
Oh good Dom struggling on the backhand out wide!
Don’t like how Rafa is playing!
Rafa’s FH is horrible today, and Thiem breaks!
Oh no!!
I knew this was going to.happen. He isn’t playing nearly as well as he can.
Yeah some unusual errors from Rafa. Maybe is nervous about thiems big hitting
Needs a bit of luck!
Come on rafa!!!
Thiem is out Rafa ing rafa with his defense
Thiem playing with something to lose in that game and ended up making loads of ufes
Yess! Break Rafa!☺
I’m not enjoying this at all!!! There’s too much at stake. Problem is they are both playing attritional tennis. Exhausting to watch.
Hope he settles down. Rafa service games are always a torture
Needs some good serves!
Rafa not secure on FH!
Finally a good serve!
What a game! Roger completes sets in wimbledon in that duration
Phew, Rafa finally holds!
Rafa looks more tired than Thiem despite Thiem’s five sets match yesterday! Thiem is just so fit and he runs so fast, getting to every ball! Rafa’s FH making many errors today.
Sorry, that’s me at 1:58PM.
Rafa making a run!
Yess! I could feel that coming!
Rafa doing Rafa things. Hope he does not do his Rafa thing when serving it out😳
Ye s! It’s torture!
Please find some great serves rafa!!
Rafa’s service games are always tortures for us! Come on Rafa, wins the set for goodness sake!
Rafa’s very tense. It’s not particularly hot today but Rafa is dripping buckets – always an indication of his anxiety level.
The commentators are rapidly running out of superlatives and it’s still only the first set
Yessss! Just fab from Rafa to steal the set!!☺
Wow! That was a set where Thiem had his chances big time. Rafa won the set in spite of being without colm
Hope he relaxes now and his fh clicks! Also hope we don’t have a lull.in concentration. Needs to break Dom early.
Cudnt resist.. great news Amy and Lucky.. hopefully he gets calm and takes the second .
Yes, no hiccups from Rafa, and he bags the first set! What a relief!
This Thiem is scarily good and Rafa plays a bit too tentatively imo, he’s like running out of ideas how to hit past Thiem when Thiem is everywhere retrieving shots! Thiem is not so good in returning Rafa’s lefty topspin serves. (He did practice returning a lefty’s serve before this match).
Rafa’s FH is also not helping him today, with all those errors, maybe Rafa is a bunch of nerve right from the start. His serve looks so vulnerable and it takes so long for him to hold his service games, yet he has better stats than Thiem!
I hope he settles down and be calm now after winning the first set.
I had to stop watching. I agree with ed about this match. My sister texted me that Rafa won the first set. Maybe I can watch now. But I am recording it.
I think this is going to be tough. I am getting too old for this.
Nny Rafa starting to play better! ☺☺
Now that’s what I want to hear.
amy,
Thanks for the update! I stopped watching when Rafa was broken early and then I started watching when he broke back. But my nerves got so bad that I had to stop. I am recording it.
I am hoping that Rafa will settle down. It’s good to know that he is playing better. Thiem does not look tired. He’s not going away.
We will keep you updated nny!!☺
Rafa has all the pressure on him. It must be hard. Thiem seems to be just blasting, hitting the ball as hard as he can. He’s got nothing to lose. Rafa will need all his smarts, savvy a d experience.
Hee, hee
Me too!
Dom and Massu exchanging words! How about a coaching violation?!
Rafa not playing his FHCC to Thiem’s BH well, he should follow in after that shot instead of waiting for the ball to come back. Thiem has enough time to hit his BH and then gets back into good position. Rafa playing with too much respect for Thiem imo.
Is that Rafa’s first love game on serve?!☺
Rafa has got a good passage going with Dom probably still thinking about the first set and the task at hand. Should strike here to break. Had an excellent opportunity in the last game when he botched a simple volley putaway
Exactly my thoughts!
When I think of all the times Mary Carrillo trashed Rafa for getting coaching from Uncle Toni, it infuriated me that now Thiem is getting it from his coach!
The minute I saw that Mary Carrillo was doing commentary, I was sick. She disgusts me.
Rafa serving better in this second set, perhaps he has calmed down after winning the first set.
I think he’s testing Thiem’s fitness in the first set with all the long rallies but Thiem proved too fit a guy to be bothered by the long rallies.
Oh, Rafa’s FHDTL goes long, another error from that wing! Don’t understand how come his FH’s level can be so up and down from match to match!
Another indication of the tension Rafa is under is he has barely used his FHDTL
Another love game on serve for Rafa!
Smart serving from Rafa, serving to Thiem’s FH at Ad court, caught him by surprise.
Thiem’s serve keeping him in this.
Feel like rafa should have broken early this set. It’s always nervewracking when he serves second.
Thiem knows he has to win this set if he wants to make a match out of it. He cannot go down two sets to Rafa.
Rafa can’t make any impact in Thiem’s service game, he’s allowing Thiem to dictate with his big serve. Rafa please hold serve and finds loopholes in Thiem’s service game!
Hate it when rafa serves second. Come on rafa hold and break please!!
Too many ufes once he gets into the rally on Thiems service games
Inexplicable at times!
Another love game on serve for Rafa! Now break!
Rafa should hit to Thiem’s FH too as Thiem is slow to cover his FH corner when on the run. Rafa hitting too much to Thiem’s BH and he’s hitting shorter and shorter thus allowing Thiem to step in to hit his BH winner!
Come on Rafa, breaks Thiem’s serve here and serves for the second set! You can do it!
Rafa has to hold serve to take us into the tiebreak! Ugh!
Come on Rafa!
Sh*t! Rafa had been utterly secure on serve and loses the set against the run of play.
S**t
This was almost predictable.
Vamos Thiem!
Rafa should have broken earlier.
Now he has to serve second again. He needs to up his game now.
Rafa serving better in second set yet still lost it! Thiem is serving unbelievable and never allows Rafa into his service game.
Looks like Rafa isn’t playing better than his SF match here; he’s not on fire and Thiem is giving him too much troubles now.
Thiem’s serve won him that set!
I could feel it coming,
That’s going to give Thiem more hope now. This could become a marathon.
Rafa had a high mid-court ball st 15-30 to put away but went back CC to Thiem. That was pressure getting to him. Thiem drew the errors.
I am still calm and firmly believe Rafa will win in 4
Rafa’s FH is his problem today. He can’t hit it with more depth when going CC time and again to Thiem’s BH, and he’s mis-hitting it way too much I feel.
Losing the second set is a wake up call for Rafa, he has to up his level and sustains it to win the next two sets!
Thiem is serving and hitting so hard it’s hard to counter that.
That stats look ominous for Nadal, Theim is winning in nearly every department.
Yesssd!! Rafa breaks to love!
Thiem strategy in second set is not usefull in third set. Dont’t play Rafa serve to recover breath. Now, he has to play at rafa serve.
Great game to.hold to.love! 2-0☺☺
At least it won’t be a boring 3 setter, which is good for the neutrals.
Rafa on fire! Double break!
Dom has only won one point this set!
Surely Rafa will not let this set go from two breaks up😳
Ok Rafa please hold and break and wins the third set quickly and then concentrates on winning the fourth! Vamos!
I 2nd that hope Lucky. Rafa has got the bit between his teeth now
I guess Thiem has given up on set 3, saving energy for 4 and 5.
No he has just been completely outplayed.
Wins his first game.
Rafa playing amazingnow! 4-0 and Dom has only won one point!
Breaking here will be perfect to start first in the 4th
2 of 3. Vamos!!!
Yess! Rafa breaks again to take the set and serve first in the next! He played like a champion that set!☺☺
Love it. Tell me he is playing well enough to win the 4th
He is!! Just needs not to lose concentration!
Thiem’s intensity dropped and Rafa played more freely. Masterclass set from him!
Not much different from FO 2013 semi against Djoko so far. I hope Rafa carries this momentum and not get nervous close to the finish line.
Hope he doesn’t lose concentration again. That’s what happened in the second.
Same as last year Rafa has been fantastic at net!
One more set. I hope I live through this. Rafa just needs to keep his foot on the gas and not let up.
No more lapses! You can do this Rafa! It’s yours! Go get # 12!
😍
First things first. Dont drop serve at the start of the fourth
30 more minutes to trophy presentation
Rafa is stepping inside the court more often hence he’s able to control the points, I like that. It’s definitely better than playing from so far back doing all the running.
I hope Rafa keeps up the intensity in the fourth and wins it. Vamos!
Come on save bp!
Yesss saved it!
One more set. I hope I live through this.
Great save on that game by rafa! Lovely aggressive play.
Early break should suck the belief out of Thiem.
Hoo, what a service hold. Rafa got me scared when it went to deuce in his first service game fourth set! Now Rafa please break Thiem’s serve and then holds your serve till the end! Vamos again!
Break Rafa!!☺
Yes, Rafa breaks serve again! Now please hold serves till the end! Rafa good man! Come on!
Another bp! Come on rafa!
Another great save and hold by rafa!
Rafa – thou name is clutch🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rafa’s service game back to torture mode for us his fans! So scary but he finally holds! If only Rafa has a better serve, he won’t need to put in so much effort to hold serve! I blame Toni for it!
Thiem’s defence is simple incredible, he’s turning into a Djoko! Thiem will be a formidable player one day, with his power game plus incredible defensive skills, big and good enough serve and incredible foot speed too. He needs to improve his ROS and court craft, refines his game a bit more.
I am crying already. The emotion has gotten to me.
No words.
I love you Rafa!
😍
Damn Thiem saved 0-40!
Dont count your chickens yet. Theim just won 5 points in a row to save the double break and has had Nadal under pressure on last 2 service games.
Thiem’s serve is what has kept him in the match.
Please Rafa, concentrates on holding your own serve! You’ll get there!
I wish Rafa had gotten the double break. Now I have to sweat through every service game.
Thiem hitting as hard as he can to get the break.
Small mercies … a hold to 15
Finally a relatively easy win on serve!
Break Rafa! He serves for the championship! ☺☺
Omg surely this is it
Yes Rafa breaks again finally! Now Rafa please be steady and serves for the Championship, no hiccups please!!
Come on Rafa dont pull a Coria
He definately had to fight for this one but after dropping the 2nd set went into GOAT mode.
Yesss! Rafa wins 12!!☺
His dominance on the dirt is utterly astonishing. It’s astounding how perfect his game is for the surface. The beast does it again!! Congrats Rafans!! #KingOfClay #Unbelievable
Yes!! Vamos Rafa!! You’ve done it!
Now I can’t stop crying!
Rafa! #12
Unbelievable!
😍
Big hug nny!!☺
Hope you are as happy as I am!☺
Woooooohooo after what rafa went through during the clay season and we did too. # 18. Of all the clay court tourneys Rafa has the dozen at Rg
#12!
#18!!
Vamooooooossssss! Genius!
The King forever! 💋💋❤️❤️❤️💪💪💜
I love you all. Thank you!!
Did you watch any of it PK?!
# Genius!
No Amy. I got your panic alerts 1st set on email. And then cudnt resist. I was much stronger in his career early. Now I don’t have the strength in me. This site seems to work for me. Thanks for the support each one one you. Now bring this energy into Wimbledon. Loving it .. now I will have my fourth drink in peace.
#GOAT🐐🐐🐐🐐
Are all you Rafa fans shedding tears of happiness as I an?
Almost Nats, but I think my eyes start to be filled with tears now!
Sorry, I mean Ed.
ed,
I can’t stop crying!
What a moment! # 12!!
❤️
Look at the quality beaten during his title runs- 05- fed in semis 06 07 08- fed,novak 10-soderling 11-fed, murray, soderling 12-novak, ferrer 13- novak and ferru 14- novak ferrer murray 17 – wawrinka 18- thiem 19- fed, thiem
17 was thiem too and 18 was delpo too
It’s amazing how he has been able to consistently withstand the multiple onslaughts from the second best claycourters of each generation. First it was Federer, then came Novak, and now it’s Thiem.
Rafa!!💓💓💜💜💘💘👑👑👑👑🎉🎉🎉🎉🎆🎆🎆🎆🎶🎶🎶
Big hug nny!!
amy,
Hugs back to you across the pond!
What a day!
What a day!! So glad both you and vr are here!
xxxx
In all honesty,I was not even 1% nervous today. I was so sure Rafa will win in 3 or 4 sets.
Thiem is an INCREDIBLE clay court player. To me he is the only pure clay courter after Rafa. Djo and Fed are incredible on clay but they bring their own brands of tennis on clay.
Thiem will win multiple RG titles in the future. However,as long as Rafa is here with the will to win, I don’t see how he will lose on this court. He is just a man possessed when he reaches the semis and finals.
So,no.18 it is! Wow! This is the closest he has EVER been to Fed’s slam count.
Rafa’s Fo tally is now higher than Rod Laver’s professional tennis grand slams.
You must have been the only person who wasn’t nervous vr!
Glad you are here!
Hello Amy, I have been so nervous over the years watching his finals but I was so assured today. Been telling my friends and family since game 1 that Rafa has got this. Lol.
To me he was ticking all the boxes. Once he does that, he is unbeatable on this court.
And, GREAT decision to switch back to his old service motion during the clay season! He regained stability in his service games.
So a few weeks ago,according to Moya, Rafa had lost his passion and he was mnetally in such a bad spot. Now here we are today with Rafa holding his 12th RG trophy.
How lucky to be witnessing this? 12 titles at a slam!!!!!!
Yess vr!!☺☺ I hope he gets another chance at wimby without the sodding roof this time! Hope you will be here for wimby!? I will. Always great watching with you and nny!
# 3 Musketeers!!☺
Rafa so happy, clapping for Rod Laver. Rafa is simply so incredible, even after coming back from his injury at IW.
Thiem is playing very well despite having to play for four days in a row. He really gives Rafa a scare after levelling the match at one set all. I know his time will come in future, I hope he does win a few here.
Rafa so emotional when the Spanish national anthem is played, I’m also with tears watching him. Thiem is such a sweet guy, he deserves to win the FO also. He simply suffers the same fate as Fed and Djoko, running into Rafa here almost always. But, Thiem has time on his side, and I really believe that Thiem will win more than one FO, he’s simply too good not to once Rafa is not there blocking his way.
It’s especially poignant to see Laver giving the trophy to rafa! #2 goats! 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
amy,
That made it even more emotional for me seeing my hero Rod Laver giving Rafa the trophy! Could not have been more perfect! I grew up idolizing Rod Laver! I am just so glad he has lived to a ripe old age!
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Yeah I was thinking of you nny! I know you love Laver so it couldn’t be more poignant or more fitting!
Congratulations to all Rafa fans! So great to have vr here with us. I was an absolute wreck! Nervous as anything! But vr’s calm assurance was so helpful.
Sanju can stop worrying now. Hugs to everyone – amy, alison, ed, monalisa, lucky. It‘s been great sharing this historic moment with all of you!
Big hug to you too NNY! And to all the Rafa fans here!
So happy for Rafa, Mission accomplished! As for Thiem, he has improved leaps and bounds, like I said before, he’s reaching his peak and may soon become a formidable player himself and will be hard to beat for anyone.
I’m just so pleased and so glad that Rafa wins this one; he’s not coming out all guns blazing, unlike his 2017/2018 finals; but, Rafa knows how to use his guile and his court craft to counter Thiem’s powerful hard hitting, big serving and unbelievable defence. Rafa is simply amazing with all skills and his great tennis brain!
Theim is lucky to be playing Rafa at RG! It will no doubt help him improve his craft and be formidable in the future!
And well done to Ricky again, he gets it right, ie Rafa in 4 sets!
That guy Ricky, he’s simply unbelievable too with his predictions.
Yeah! Ricky please predict a Rafa vicotry at Wimbly
dont hold your breath!
!!!!!
I Couldnt be happier, number 18, number 12, Rafa will be pumped for Wimbledon hes after Federers 20 number smelling blood lol, Liverpool FC winning champions league title number 6 happy days 🙂
Big hug Alison!! ☺☺
Rumor has it that Roger is going in with a new strategy at Roland garros 2020. After the success of ‘D’iego Schwatzman, ‘D’avid Goffin and ‘D”ominic Thiem in the last two years, roger federer to play under the name of Doger Dederer
Stop it vmk..don’t be nasty :-)..poor guy played well at RG…he gave his best.
😁😁all in jest of course, Sanju. Rafa has won three Rg s on the trot in his thirties. 😃
Congrats to all. Rafa with 18 and no 12 here. This is just unreal domination here..the most gruelling slam of all and he wins it 12 times..no man or woman ever will win 12 at a slam ever..this record will hold till infinity..
This was the most stressful slam for me..I was really stressed from Wednesday and had knots in my stomach …finally it was worth nothing n it was just pure panic fearing a loss..mall the past coincidences,weather alerts need to be just banished.
I am supporting thiem next year for french. Poor guy deserves it. All I want now is rafa to somehow reach 20 and he and fed jointly hold the slam record and retire 🙂 ..I would like Rafa’s next 2 to come at wimby n ao..yeah I can dream 🙂
Congratulations to Ricky! Brilliant predictions!
Take a bow!
!!!!
Commies to Thiem, what a fantastic player hes turning out to be really like him, and hope he wins a GS title , such a talented hard working player, what a fortnight for him, i do think it was a bit unfair with the sheduling, and DT was always at a disadvantage with the lack of rest, RG really needs to re-think some things ….
Thiem will win multiple french..tsitsipas will win multiple slams
And Zverev will break multiple rackets 😁
Hugs Amy,NNY, Monalisa, so happy with this result 🙂
Also hugs and heads up to Elizabeth, DT has had a wonderful fortnight, and should be really proud of himself 🙂
Dom will win one day Alison. Just a matter of time.
Maybe will have to wait until Rafa isn’t around though..
Cant wait for grass 🙂
Wimby will ve wide open this time..I think there is just jo clear fav there now…
Love Thiem and Sissy 🙂
He is not sissy please :-)..
Tsitsi, not Sissy! I love Tsitsipas and now Thiem too. Of course none can replace Rafa, ever!
I have been dreaming of a channel slam for rafa french wimby double since 14 🙂 ..the freaky kyrgios, muller n dJoker last year came outbof nowhere
I can’t wait to go on Twitter n read all congrats pouring in for rafa n then read all the articles on him tomm 🙂
Rafa goes to number one in the race to London by 800 points. Any Idea on the wimbledon seedings?
Rafa will sure be no 2…Fed is not playing Stuttgart so will drop 300 points ..if he wins halle he will gain 200..so I don’t think he can make up deficit of close to 2000 points with Rafa as rafa went further at wimby last year
Of all the times Rafa has been winning RG, one thing that has stood out is his relentless play. Lost 2nd set today against the run of play, then came back strongly. He has done that multiple times against Fed early on in his career, against Djoker. He has been up against 3 very good and consistent clay courters and he has taken up all the challenges thrown at him. This kind of dominance in any sport is incredible and beyond belief !
12 times ‘hooray’ for Rafa for winning the FO for the 12th time!!!!!!!!!!!!
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Look for a poster to come and claim today that Rafa was lucky he did not have to face Fabio Fognini- the only player to have a winning record against Rafa this year on clay.
Rafa joins novak thiem and federer as people with two titles this year
Vamos Rafa!!!
Vamos Rafa no matter what!!!
Rafa one of just three players ever to win a slam in their teens, 20’s and 30’s.
One in his teens, 3 in his 30’s! This for a guy touted to have a short career. How many did Rosewall win in his 30’s? I know he was still playing very well in his late 30’s.
If this latest victory proves anything its that this clay supremacy isn’t just a matter of Rafa walking on court and using his innate talents. He’s had to bring passion, training and plain hard work every single year. Awesome.
VAMOS RAFA!!!!! Huge congrats for his *12th* Roland Garros. Unbelievable!
This tournament could not have gone better for Rafa if I’d dreamed it up myself! Tell me I’m not dreaming…
Rafa has twice the number of french opens as the next best – Borg at 6. 12 in 14.5 tries😳
Congrats to the Rafans! 🍾🍾🏆 If RG doesn’t change the name of Court Chatrier to Court Rafael Nadal one day, then they are insane. Forget about 12- I see absolutely no reason that Rafa couldn’t end his career with 15 Roland Garros titles! Think about this- Rafa has the potential to end up with as many or more titles at Roland Garros than Pete Sampras has total major titles… Just let that sink in.
I said this after 2017, but it is just a fact that Rafa at Roland Garros is the single greatest achievement in ALL OF SPORTS HISTORY. I know it has to eventually come to an end, but as long as he is healthy, Rafa will be a title contender at RG until the day he retires. He could be 45 years old, and if he was healthy, he would be at least a co-favorite for the title.
As for Thiem, I give him big props because I didn’t think he even had enough left in the tank to even make a set competitive, let alone win one. He showed tremendous fight and competitiveness in outlasting Djokovic, and becoming the only guy who could beat him at the major since last year’s RG. So props to him. But unfortunately for him, he will most likely just have to wait until Rafa retires before he will win RG. He will do it one day, but he will probably have to avoid Rafa.
🙂 Are you channeling Nico Almagro here? When he screamed after losing a big point to Rafa at RG “He’s going to win RG 45 times! He’ll be 60 years old and he’ll STILL win RG!”
But the French won’t change the name of Chatrier, nor imo should they. Once you name something for a hero it should stay named. They will place a statue of Rafa there, hopefully close to the entrance of PC.
Well, maybe someday they could change the tournament name to Garros-Nadal! 🙂 But Rafa’s satisfaction is in the work and the triumph and the trophy, the love of his family and team, not in tributes.
As for the future Rafa said (to John McEnroe) “maybe one more…”
Big props to Thiem. Maybe he’ll win a hard court slam before Rafa yields up RG. Great guy – he agreed to an after match interview with McEnroe. Never seen the loser do that. Good for him. I’m sure he won a lot fans this tournament.
Thiem is such a sweet and pleasant guy; even Rafa praises him and calls him a good guy. Mladenovic is a lucky girl.
Yes Thiem is nice, respectful and sweet. But I think Rafa will go down as one of the most lovable adored guys in this sport. He has the results to match his humble sweet personality.
I agree, Lucky. I’ve always felt like Thiem seems to be just the sweetest, most genuinely friendly and likebale guy on the tour. I used to feel like it could actually be a detriment to him in the biggest moments, like he wouldn’t have enough of a competitive fire in him. But he has impressed me so much over the last year with his improved competitiveness. He has won or almost won so many big matches in the last year where he was down or a match was tight, but he kept fighting non-stop. The US Open match against Rafa comes to mind. His 3-set comeback win over Fed in the IW final. Now his epic fight with Djokovic in the SF. That was a part of him that I didn’t really see before the last 8 months or so. It’s something that I don’t see at all in a guy like Zverev. Thiem is extremely humble and hard-working, and there is no question is my mind that it will one day pay off! Even if it can’t happen until Big 3 are all gone.
Fed is on the verge of retirement, but Rafa and Novak will be around for a while still. If there were any guys who I think at least have the potential to keep improving to the point where they could potentially overcome Novak or Rafa to win a major, it would be Thiem and Tsitsipas. They both still need respective improvements in their games, and Tsitsipas has a lot of maturing to do. I’d like to think that Tsitsipas will be humbled after his loss to Stan left him so dejected, but I’m skeptical because he was just as dejected after losing to Rafa at AO and then was right back to being cocky before RG. I think he’s just not very humble yet, particularly given his young age. Hopefully he will gain humility as he gets older, and realizes that one win over a 37 year old Fed does not mean you are all of a sudden ready to win a slam. He’s got all the potential in the world, though.
I would love it if in the future we had a situation where Tsitsi was consistently the top dog on the quicker/lower-bouncing surfaces (AO/Wimbledon) and Thiem the big dog at the slower ones (RG/USO). I don’t necessarily want another situation where 99% of all majors are won by the same 2 or 3 guys, like the last fifteen years. But it’s always good, imo, to have a clear-cut 2 or 3 best players in the world.
In the early ‘90s, it was Edberg/Courier/Becker. Then we had the Sampras/Agassi years. Then we had a few years of true parity, with Hewitt coming out on top. Then we had one year where it was just Federer and everyone else. Basically from 2001 through 2004 wasn’t great because you had ultra-parity, followed by a year of Federer untouchable without nobody challenging. Then in 2005, Rafa came and saved the day. And pretty much since 2005, there has always been at least 2 guys at the top of the game who were in a clear-cut class of their own. Sure, I’ve always wished there was a little more parity at the top of the game, but it’s become clear that that was how it was supposed to be because the 3 greatest players of all-time have been at their respective primes at different times since 2005.
So if I come have it anyway in the future, it would be to have 2 or 3 guys who are in a clear-cut class of their own, and who win the most majors, but with at least a little bit more parity at the top than there has been since 2004. And I believe 2 of those guys will be Thiem and Tsitsipas. I would also love it if FAA could be one of those guys, too, but it’s just too soon to tell wth him.
Sanju and Luckystar i just struggle spelling his name, that why i shorten it ….
I thought you meant he was sissy as in girlish 🙂
Just landed home from Paris. Unfortunate I didn’t get to see the match but I was anxious all while I was on the plane wondering how Rafa was doing.
Im so happy that he won his 12th Coupe de Mousqueter!!!! I am so proud of my Rafa. My trip to RG is now worth it 1000x more!!!
Vamos, Rafa!! See you at Wimby!!!
Sanju no not at all, just struggled with spelling, i wouldnt disrespect a player like that, Stefanos lol ….