Paris title No.10 as Nadal sees off Stan
RAFA Nadal completed his own La Decima by crushing Stan Wawrinka to win an unprecedented 10th French Open title.
The Spaniard becomes the first man to reach double figures at a single slam and, if he continues to play like this, then Margaret Court’s alltime record of 11 Australian Open titles looks certain to fall.
Nadal was at his most masterful on the stage he has made his own and needed just two hours and five minutes to beat Wawrinka 6-2 6-3 6-1.
The 31-year-old lost only 35 games in seven matches and won the title without dropping a set for the third time.
Wawrinka, who may have been feeling the effects of an epic semifinal against Andy Murray, started slowly and could not get into the match.
It is a first grand slam final defeat for the Swiss, who won the Australian Open in 2014, here two years ago and the US Open last summer.
Nadal has not had to wait as long as Real Madrid did for a 10th European title but, for a man who won nine titles in 10 years, two years without one was virtually an eternity.
After losing just his second match here against Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals in 2015, Nadal was forced to pull out ahead of the third round last year with a left wrist injury.
Nadal’s desolation then was in stark contrast to the joy he showed here at the moment of victory, lying flat on his back in customary fashion to celebrate a remarkable achievement.
Wawrinka had dominated the baseline against Murray and smacked 87 winners but here he was pushed way back by Nadal’s vicious spin.
Nadal, who has now closed back to within three of Federer’s all-time record with a 15th slam title, said in halting French: “It’s truly amazing.
“This final to win La Decima for me is very, very special. It’s very emotional for me.”
Switching to English, Nadal continued: “The feeling I have here is impossible to describe.
“The nerves, the adrenaline that I feel when I play in this court is impossible to compare. It’s the most important tournament in my career and to win again is something I can’t describe.”
While Nadal lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires, a huge banner was unveiled in the stands saying, ‘Bravo Rafa’.
Wawrinka added his congratulations, saying: “Nothing to say about today, you were too good. What you are doing in our sport is amazing. To play against you is an honour.”
After highlights of Nadal’s 10 triumphs were shown on the big screen, Nadal’s coach and uncle Toni, who is stepping aside at the end of this season, joined him on stage.
“Since three years old we were working,” said Nadal. “I have 10 trophies here and without him none of them would have been possible so many, many thanks for everything.”