Heaven eleven: Nadal takes 11th Barcelona title
BARCELONA: Rafael Nadal won his 11th Barcelona title on Sunday when he breezed past Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-1, reinforcing his position as the overwhelming favourite to lift an 11th French Open.
It was world number one Nadal’s 55th career clay-court title while he also extended his winning streak on the surface to 46 consecutive sets.
The 31-year-old Spaniard won his 11th Monte Carlo Masters last weekend, also without dropping a set.
Nadal now has 77 titles overall while his career clay-court match record stands at 401 wins against just 35 defeats.
“It’s very difficult to describe how to win 11 titles at one tournament. To win 11 Monte-Carlos and 11 Barcelonas is something I couldn’t imagine doing. I’m just enjoying every week and the fact I’m playing in a tournament that I enjoy so much means a lot to me,” said Nadal.
His win on Sunday was greeted by ticker-tape and a video review of all his titles on the centre court in Barcelona which now bears his name.
“It’s really emotional to see that video. I never dreamed of having a career like this,” said the 16-time Grand Slam title winner.
“Last year, they made a video of my 10 titles here. Now they have had to make another video for 11 — it makes me feel like I am ageing.
“Thanks to everyone for making the tournament so special and thanks to my family who have been with me even when things have not been so smooth.”
Nadal is now level with John McEnroe on 77 career titles with only Jimmy Connors (109), Roger Federer (97) and Ivan Lendl (94) ahead of him.
He may not catch them but one thing is for certain — barring injury, he is more than likely to be lifting an 11th ‘Coupe des Mousquetaires’ at Roland Garros in Paris on June 10.
His confidence of capturing a 17th major will be boosted by seeing his ‘Big Four’ rivals falling by the wayside.
Roger Federer is skipping the clay season for a second successive year to concentrate his assault on a ninth Wimbledon title.
Novak Djokovic is struggling to recover from an elbow injury and Andy Murray hasn’t played since last year’s Wimbledon and underwent hip sugery in January.
Tsitsipas, 19 years old and ranked 63, was the first Greek man to make an ATP final since Nicholas Kalogeropoulos in Des Moines back in 1973.