Perfect 10 for Nadal at Roland Garros
PARIS — Rafael Nadal has done what no other player has done, and it will take a long time — if ever — for someone to duplicate his mastery.
On a hot Sunday bathed in sunshine at the French Open, the fourth- seeded Nadal became the first player in the Open Era to win the same Grand Slam title 10 times in his career. He put on a strategic and impenetrable clay- court clinic to rout third- seeded StanWawrinka 6- 2, 6- 3, 6- 1 and capture his 15th major title overall.
Nadal won this French Open without dropping a set, a distinction he also achieved in hoisting the trophy in 2008 and 2010. In all, he lost only 35 games during his two weeks in Paris.
‘‘ The feeling I have here is impossible to describe, impossible to compare to other places,’’ Nadal, 31, said on the court after the victory, brushing away tears. ‘‘ The adrenaline and nerves I feel on this court, I can’t describe. This is the most important event in my career, without a doubt.’’
The significance of the achievement was not lost on anybody, and French Open organizers were prepared to commemorate the moment in grand style in the event Nadal succeeded. There was a film prepared with footage of all of his French Open victories, and— thanks to some quick editing — it included match point Sunday.
But that wasn’t even the big reveal of the ceremony. That came when his uncle ToniNadal, who has coached him since hewas 3, was given the honor of delivering a lifesized replica of the French Open trophy for Nadal to take home. Players normally get a junior- sized replica of the trophy they’ve won, but this time around called for something more grandiose.
‘‘ For me, every Roland Garros has been very important for itself,’’ Nadal said. ‘‘[ It] is true that this one is gonna be one of the more special for the number, for what happened on the ceremony after the final, for so many things. And because I am 31 already and not a kid anymore.’’
Nadal never has lost a final at the FrenchOpen, and his 79- 2 record in Paris is the best in tournament history. His only two losses at Roland Garros came in the fourth round to Robin Soderling in 2009 and the quarterfinals to Novak Djokovic in 2015.
The magnificence of what Nadal achieved put in context where he was in his career a year ago, when an injury to his left wrist forced him out of the French Open before his third- round match. He didn’t play again until the Rio Olympics, then shut down his season because of the injury in mid- October.
The wondering as to what shape he would return to the game this year was answered loud and clear when he reached the final of the Australian Open in January before losing to longtime rival Roger Federer.
‘‘ For sure, he’s playing the best he’s ever played,’’ said Wawrinka, who lost his first major final among the four he has played. ‘‘ But not only here. I think since the beginning of the year, you can see he’s playing more aggressive, staying more close from the line. That’s why he’s winning so much again.’’