Rafael Nadal apparently decided that drama in the fourth round, quarterfinals, and semis was enough.
Channeling his typically dominant self in French Open finals, Nadal made Sunday’s final nothing more than a formality. It might as well have been a coronation rather than a tennis match. Having navigated his way through a brutal top half of the draw, the 36-year-old crushed heavy underdog Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 for his 14th title at Roland Garros and his 22nd Grand Slam triumph overall.
That’s not to say it was an entirely stress-free day for Nadal supporters. First they desperately wanted to see his chronic foot injury survive one last match in Paris. Once that objective was ticked off (Nadal showed no signs of any physical struggles over the course of two hours and 18 minutes), perhaps the most tense moments of the afternoon came during the trophy ceremony. Would the King of Clay say anything about his immediate and/or long-term future? Could this even be the end?
Another sigh of relief could be breathed when Nadal capped off his winner’s speech by saying, “I don’t know what can happen in the future, but I am going to keep fighting to try to keep going.”
Sunday’s contest was not even close to a fair fight. Nadal was playing in his 30th slam final–14th at Roland Garros alone. Ruud, 13 years his opponent’s junior at 23, was playing in his first major final. In fact, the Norwegian had never even been to a quarterfinal prior to this fortnight. Ruud had found some brief success by breaking back early in the first set and then going ahead 3-1 in the second, but the few times he gained any kind of momentum it evaporated quickly.
Once the world No. 8 gave back his break lead in set two, it was all over. From 1-3 down, Nadal reeled off the last 11 games of the match. He lost only eight points in the entire third set.
“For me, (to) have this trophy next to me again means everything,” Nadal assured. “(There) have been emotional victories, without a doubt; unexpected in some way. Yeah, (I’m) very happy. [It has] been a great two weeks. Since the beginning (I was) improving every day, finishing playing a good final.”
The world No. 5 had to be good throughout the event–especially in a taxing second week. He needed five sets to get past Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last 16, edged top seed Novak Djokovic in a four-set quarterfinal thriller, and then battled Alexander Zverev for three hours 13 minutes without even completing two sets (Zverev was forced to retire because of a nasty ankle injury).
In the end, Nadal finally enjoyed a routine day at his office that is Court Philppe-Chatrier.
“I said before the match that I guess [facing Nadal at Roland Garros] is (the toughest challenge in tennis),” Ruud commented. “Now I think I know it is…. His numbers speak for themselves. He has never lost a final here, and there is a reason why. I guess like I said in the speech, I’m just another one of the victims that he has destroyed on this court in the final.
“It was the first time I have experienced this situation and played a Grand Slam final. I don’t think it really got to me until I stepped on court today and saw the full stadium and felt the atmosphere in the crowd.
“I wish I could [have made] the match closer and all these things, but at the end of the day I can hopefully one day tell my grandkids that I played Rafa on Chatrier in the final, and they will probably say, ‘Wow, did you?’ I will say, ‘Yes.’ I’m probably going to enjoy this moment for a long time.”
In a French Open final against Rafael Nadal, trying to enjoy it is all you can do. Because winning it is out of the question.
And I must admit, I posted that article just because I thought it was ridiculous and no-one would take it seriously. We all know what painkillers are for and are used in tennis and other sports.
From the response it really does highlight some people have no sense of humour or fun in all of this. Its quite scary how seriously obsessed they are !
Al, what is so funny about doping alegations?? The two French cyclists were dead serious! You have a very strange sense of humor. I would have respected your contribution much more if you had said that you wanted to discuss this subject and if you had offered your opinion. I had contemplated myself to discuss it here. But your claim that you did it for laughs is ridiculous!
Are you identical with Big Al btw?
Doping allegations? But he only took painkillers,didn’t he? Which are legal,other tennis players have done it.Thats what’s ridiculous plus the fact that I can’t see anyone being stripped of their titles like Armstrong was.
Now, on the subject of has Rafa or any other player ever taken dodgy stuff ,that’s a more serious question I don’t know the answer to.
Performance enhancement is a doping allegation.
How about that pod that Novak was using in the past? The one that was supposed to help regenerate red blood cells? It wasn’t banned but it was discouraged for use by athletes.
‘Performance enhancement is a doping allegation’.
Not necessarily, doping suggests illegal drugs ,doesnt it?
There could well be an effect from legal ones as well .
But why compare the rules of tennis with cycling, esp by two obscure guys ? Thats what I find hard to take seriously . They may well have a moral point about sport in general but nothing more.
Other point was the number of times Nole was mentioned in this discussion when its not about him- I never said he was perfect here – yet we have to have ‘what about’ comments.
Performance enhancing ? Thats a whole discussion in itself. Such as open roof/closed roof, no problem when it suits your favourite player.Not always to do with drugs.
littlefoot,
You have responded in a nicer way than I would, but I think you do get that claiming this article was humorous, is dishonest and disingenuous.
I actually have no desire to discuss the meritless accusations of those cyclists. There will always be those who make baseless allegations against athletes. Maybe they needed the attention.
I am trying to focus on Wimbledon and hopefully seeing Rafa play.
Oh please! Spare me! No one with half a brain would post an article like that and not expect people to react negatively!
It was not meant to be humorous! It was meant to question Rafa’s performance at RG. There is nothing humorous about specious and unfounded accusations of performance enhancement!
I think it’s quite scary that anyone would think this was not meant to incite and anger Rafa fans. Oh and the serious obsession lies with said person who decided to post this garbage in the first place!
Quick and expected response .Usual opening line .
I just shared a link to a news article that happened to appear on my home page , why wouldnt I? There was nothing premeditated about it .
And actually, what wrong with questioning anything in our sport? No player is above that !
Let me know when you post something similar about Novak! You are not fooling anyone.
You can’t even be honest about what you did.
What’s wrong with posting a link to a news item that’s freely available.Whether you agree or not.
Talking about Djokovic,he did get enough coverage and deserved criticism for being Novax.I didn’t defend him