The more things change, the more they stay the same for Rafael Nadal
PARIS ( Reuters) – Rafael Nadal is a creature of habit and there were suggestions that various new things at this year’s French Open could unsettle the Spaniard in his bid for a 13th Roland Garros title.
The way in which he crushed Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday, however, proved that it would take more than a new stadium, different balls and unfamiliar weather conditions to throw the clay- court king off his stride.
As usual, the Spaniard put his water bottles on his left side, labels facing the correct way, before starting his demolition job to humble Djokovic 6- 0, 6- 2, 7- 5 and match Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles.
“I have always had the utmost respect for my friend Rafa as a person and as a champion. As my greatest rival over many years, I believe we have pushed each other to become better players,” Federer, 39, wrote on social media. “Therefore, it is a true honor for me to congratulate him on his 20th Grand Slam victory.”
Federer is sitting out the 2020 season as he recovers from two knee surgeries but suggested their rivalry isn’t done.
“I hope 20 is just another step on the continuing journey for both of us. Well done, Rafa. You deserve it.”
Nadal, 34, has won 24 of the 40 lifetime head- to- head meetings with Federer. Nadal was sanguine when asked about drawing level with Federer for the first time in his career.
“We keep playing. I don’t know what can happen in the future. I am just excited and of course is something that means a lot to me,” said Nadal. “At the same time to share this record between us, that we had an amazing rivalry for such a long time, is something in some way beautiful I really believe.”
Despite a deflating few weeks for Djokovic, the 33- year- old will not be about to give up the chase. After all in 2009 he only had one major to his name while Nadal was on six and Federer owned 15. Now the Serbian remains on 17, three behind the duo.
On Sunday, while the closed roof should have given Djokovic an advantage, and heavier balls and chilly weather were detrimental to his devastating top spin – his biggest weapon – Nadal delivered one of his best performances at Roland Garros.
“The personal satisfaction is big because under the circumstances that we played this Roland Garros, even if I played an amazing match this afternoon, the conditions are a little bit not the conditions that I will choose, never, to play an event like this,” said Nadal, who now leads Djokovic 5- 4 in their Grand Slam final confrontations.
“I was able to adapt well. I was able to, as I said the first day, to be positive in every circumstances that I was facing during the whole event, trying to accept all the challenges in terms of sometimes the feeling on the ball haven’t been great because of the cold and everything.
“I think is one of the Roland Garros that have a better personal value for myself.”
In addition to the unusual conditions, Nadal was also facing a player who appeared at his peak, having suffered his only defeat of the year when he was defaulted at the US Open.
But the Mallorcan raised his level to its maximum when it mattered after entering the tournament on the back of a quarter- final defeat at the Italian Open.
“For me, honestly, one month and a half ago if you tell me you’re going to have this trophy with you again, I will say, This year will probably be too difficult,” Nadal said.
“I played an amazing level of tennis, no? For two sets and a half I played great. I can’t say another thing. It is impossible to have this score against him without playing great.
“I played a very good final. I played at my highest level when I needed to play at my highest level, so it is something I am very proud of.”
And so the battle for the “GOAT” continues, with the “Big Three” showing little sign of slowing down in the near future.