Nadal wins record 13th French Open
11/10/2020
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sport
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tennis
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Rafael Nadal produces one of his finest French Open displays to stun Novak Djokovic and equal Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam men's titles.
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Alex A
11/10/2020 16:00:21
132
15
bbc
Rafa just tore Djokovic a new one! Sheer class!!
The best player of all time.
Nope
There are still a few more years left for the three Top Guns to play Grand-Slams - to decide who will ultimately win the most - and be declared the 'best player of all time - before they all retire ! -
Brutal
For one player to win the same Grand Slam tournament 13 times is unbelievable, almost superhuman. Congratulations to Rafael Nadal.
Its unreal and the manner of his victory was something else too.
Not just win but in straight sets. It was wonderful to watch - and not just because I'm a Rafa fan! A good day for me, Hamilton won the GP and Rafa the tennis!!
No, it just shows you are very good on one surface. Both fed and Novak are better all round players than Nadal.
"For one player to win the same Grand Slam tournament 13 times is unbelievable, almost superhuman"
It is isn't it ?
Hmmmm. Removed
It is isn't it ?
Hmmmm. Removed
The best clay court player ever to have played the game. If all tennis was played on clay then we wouldn't be calling Federer 'The Greatest'.
I still don’t rate him. I don’t know why
surprised he's allowed to make so much noise. would continuously divert my concentration
Hes won 20 slams..... Im sure he will have sleepless nights because YOU don't. Rate him.......
Like he knows you or care whether you rate him or not? Stay off the drugs son.
Great match
Djokovic just got absolutely destroyed. Fantastic to see.
No faux medical timeouts were going to help shift momentum this time.
Djokovic's gamesmanship over the years has been tedious and oh-so predictable.
I enjoy seeing him lose too.
Djokovic's gamesmanship over the years has been tedious and oh-so predictable.
I enjoy seeing him lose too.
Well. They said it yesterday, if Nadal is going to win, he's got to up his game. Man he did IP his game to an unbelievable level.
I wonder if two of the big three never played tennis, the other one would have won 50 grand slams.
I wonder if two of the big three never played tennis, the other one would have won 50 grand slams.
30++
Yes, I often though about that too. It just shows how amazing any one of the three top player truly is. And, no doubt they pushed each other - to play better and better throughout the years the faced each other ! - And it is not over yet . . .
Some things never change. Vamos Rafa!
20 times. Joint-GOAT.
Can't say I feel anything other than delight towards Novaxx Djocovid's disappointment. He's rotten.
20 times. Joint-GOAT.
Can't say I feel anything other than delight towards Novaxx Djocovid's disappointment. He's rotten.
As much as I enjoyed this beating of Djokovic - because I am a nadal fan and Djokovic is his biggest and most dangerous rival - Djokovic is by no means "rotten". Passionate? yes, annoying? maybe, makes-mistakes? definitely , but you only have to listen to his post match speech to see he is really a class guy.
Novak is Not Rotten - Your Comment certainly is !
It's confirmed, Rafa is the goat!
Hahahahahahahaha
Behave. On clay, certainly by a country mile. But on all other surfaces, Roger and Novak are better.
Not Yet, Not Yet - No - it is not confirmed at all! - ONE Win does not a GOAT make! There are still a few more years left for the three Top Guns to play Grand-Slams - to decide who will ultimately win the most before they all retire ! -
No it is not. He is the clay court GOAT and is untouchable on that surface.
However the GOAT debate is far from over and may not even be settled once they have all retired.
The GOAT is not just about GS titles, but includes no of year end No1's. other major titles, H2H's, ability on different surfaces and so on.
However the GOAT debate is far from over and may not even be settled once they have all retired.
The GOAT is not just about GS titles, but includes no of year end No1's. other major titles, H2H's, ability on different surfaces and so on.
Top man. No wonder there is no Lewis Hamilton HYS.
Nadal's is the GOAT.
Nadal's is the GOAT.
Lewis Hamilton is a spoiled diva who has the fastest car on the grid and cries racism whenever a decision goes against him.
Not Yet ! - There are still a few more years left to play by the top three - to decide who is the Ultimate GOAT ! -
Don’t you there right off the best ever. Should of win more different slams if it wasn’t for his injuries. Number 20
He is an elegant man, gracious in victory and defeat. And a fantastic player.
I think the problem may be yours.
I think the problem may be yours.
Maybe you can supply us with some examples of this during the match.
Instead of making low snide remarks you should say: Thank you for being able to watch such a fabulous match between Nadal and Djokovic ! -
A giant with feet of clay.
Really a surprise to me. I support Rafa, but didn't think he was well prepared enough, and given the different conditions this year, thought that Djokovic was the favourite. Why did I ever doubt the great man!
Don’t be fooled by that score line - Novak played unbelievably well too. Rafa just took it into the stratosphere those first two sets. Probably the best he’s ever played in a final, and right when he needed it. 34 years old and still the king of clay.
'Novak played unbelievably well too.'
No he didn't. What planet are you on? Djokovic only really cranked up the intensity of his serve in set 3.
Well played to Nadal though - humble and quite incredible.
No he didn't. What planet are you on? Djokovic only really cranked up the intensity of his serve in set 3.
Well played to Nadal though - humble and quite incredible.
Very true.
Well done Nadal!?????????? beating Djokovic ??in straight sets. You gave the arrogant Djokovic a thorough thrashing as many would have hoped. Djokovic’s SF victory over Tsitsipas was totally undeserved and just lucky. Pity Tsitsipas didn’t make the final but he will in 2021. Congrats Nadal!????
NATURAL JUSTICE served!
NATURAL JUSTICE served!
Indeed, Djokovic played very well, but Rafa just played one or two classes better - he was in 'the zone' . -
You are wrong : Djokovic played very well, but Rafa just played one or two classes better - he was in 'the zone' . -
Nadal inflicted the worst defeat of has-been Andy Murray's career at Roland Garros and Djokovic. What a beast. Commiserations to Novak, unbelievable from Nadal.
Nadal is the greatest no doubt about it
Unlucky with injuries at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open
A fully fit and firing Nadal is very very difficult to beat
A fully fit and firing Nadal is very very difficult to beat
Should he of?
The best clay court player ever without a shadow of a doubt. I did not expect such a margin. Re GOAT: I still prefer Federer over both Nadal and Djokovic and for me he is the best ever, subjective that opinion though is
Unbelievable never though anyone would get near Federers record. What an absolute privilege to have witness the 3 greatest male players of all time. In the same era!
There are still a few more years left to play by the top three - to decide who will be the Ultimate GOAT ! -
Just 7 grand slam titles outside of the French. Really poor return to be honest.
A bit of a sad comment...only 7 slams outside of Paris..... Pathetic comment.
Roger has only one RG... as well as Djokovic. 7 GS just like Wilander, McEnroe or Edberg already qualifies you as a legend...
Awesome stuff from Rafael. Here's hoping both players can go on to pass Roger's total. Strangely I think Novak has the better chance of doing so!
Difficult conditions, eh? King of Clay lives up to the name once again ??
First of all, congratulations Nadal. 13 French Opens, 20 Slams. Just unbelievable. Still winning at 34!
Also, delighted the science denying, line judge smacking blight on tennis was ripped apart in such style. A good day for the sport!
Also, delighted the science denying, line judge smacking blight on tennis was ripped apart in such style. A good day for the sport!
BBC123: ...delighted that the line judge smacking blight on tennis was ripped apart ??? - That is a lousy comment. It was an accident not a planed 'attack' on a line judge! - And as long as YOU are perfect all is well ! -
Nadal fans, including myself, felt very apprehensive about this one particularly with the way Novak can nullify Rafa's heavy forehand from the backhand side. And then he comes up with one of his best ever performances for a very surprising demolition. Lucky 13 lucky for brilliant Rafa.
Agree.
Yes, my heart was with Rafa, but I thought Novak would win. Their recent record was in Novak’s favour and I thought Rafa might get nervous. Maybe too many drop shots from Novak, I’m not sure of the stats but it seemed to indicate he wasn’t prepared to slug it out with Rafa.
Well done Nadal, defeated the Joker again.
Next year again a lot of fans will try to talk up Djokovic that he will beat Nadal & that Djokovic will have the highest tally of slams & then it will be French Open number 14 for Nadal again & we all will be shaking the head again in disbelief.
Number 13 French Open, this is ridiculous! Players don't even win a single slam, let alone 13 times of one particular slam and 20 in total & counting.
Number 13 French Open, this is ridiculous! Players don't even win a single slam, let alone 13 times of one particular slam and 20 in total & counting.
Delighted with this.
13 and 20.
Absolutely nothing else to add as Rafa has said it all.
Absolutely nothing else to add as Rafa has said it all.
Its incredible really,between Nadal,Federer and Djokovic,they have amassed 57 Slam titles,or 14 calender years of slams.
Yes.
They show what real determination and true grit can achieve.
The only thing in theirs minds is the will to win and dismiss setbacks when it doesn't go right.
They show what real determination and true grit can achieve.
The only thing in theirs minds is the will to win and dismiss setbacks when it doesn't go right.
Great to see Nadal winning on the surface that favours his game the most. He has kept a low profile to the final. I could never stand Novak, hope this is terminal decline from here.
...hope this is (Novak's) terminal decline ??? Shaibal you need to check, in contrast to you, how the three top players respect each other ! -
Another great win by a great player. With the beaten finalist being Djokovic was the cherry on top.
For anyone who understands this kind of stuff, so, why does one surface suit a player better than others? Is it to do with their reaction time, speed, centre of gravity, muscle mass? What is it?
Clay is the slowest surface.
Longer rallies, complete Tennis.
Grass and Hard courts, more serve and volley robot Tennis.
Longer rallies, complete Tennis.
Grass and Hard courts, more serve and volley robot Tennis.
It’s primarily to do with style of play, players strongest from the backcourt with great ground strokes tend to favour clay and slower courts like the French; serve and volleyers with a good net game tend to favour faster courts like Wimbledon. Some are great on both - Borg springs to mind - but Roger has I think won only one French and many great Wimbledon champs have never won the French.
Clay: bounces are higher, more so with top spin - hence people call it "slower". It also requires you to slide on the surface and can have odd bounces
Hard: Medium bounce, ball take average/more uniform effect from spin
Grass: Another uneven surface and can be slippy, but this has the lowest bounce (therefore more forward movement/speed). Slice shots can really skid through the court low and fast
Hard: Medium bounce, ball take average/more uniform effect from spin
Grass: Another uneven surface and can be slippy, but this has the lowest bounce (therefore more forward movement/speed). Slice shots can really skid through the court low and fast
Nadal..a legend, what a performance, and such a humble guy.....Magnificent.
Yep!
The greatest era of mens tennis, with 3 outstanding champions and one or two brilliant players along side.
Probably never see the same again in my lifetime
Probably never see the same again in my lifetime
The picture is wrong. GOAT doesn't mean most grand slam wins. There's lots more to it than that - total tournament wins, weeks as world number 1, style of play. Everyone will have their favourite. For me, it's Federer.
, yeah and olympic gold medals and Davis cup wins right ? ;).
Agree that there is more to it then just grand slam wins - but that is one of the key factors, also win loss ratio, master 1000 titles, maybe even quality of opponents, etc... but style of play?... not really a factor
Just 7 grand slam titles outside of the French. Really poor return to be honest.
13... One of the greatest achievements in any sport. My hero!
Absolutely fantastic victory for Nadal.
That result will dent Djokovic.
Nadal dismantled Federer like that in 08 French Open final and the very next slam beat Federer on his turf at Wimbledon.
The very next slam is Australian Open, Djokovic's turf.
Nadal to beat Djokovic in 5 and set a new record of 21 slams.
That result will dent Djokovic.
Nadal dismantled Federer like that in 08 French Open final and the very next slam beat Federer on his turf at Wimbledon.
The very next slam is Australian Open, Djokovic's turf.
Nadal to beat Djokovic in 5 and set a new record of 21 slams.
I had the same thought. I think this means he won't be dominated by djoko easily like before in the A.O. He will rip the backhand + go down the line with backhand. And Djoko will be. a toothless Lion. Just roaring.. no bite
Funny I was only thinking this afternoon, if Rafa won today then managed to nick the Australian with the French to follow he makes it very hard for Novak to catch him. That said I do see Novak playing on longer and still winning slams, so Rafa needs to play another couple of years matching Novak in slams.
THE CLUDGIE 77: "The very next slam is Australian Open, Djokovic's turf. Nadal to beat Djokovic in 5" ---
I would not be so certain! - The Australian Open is not Roland Garros and Djokovic is not the Nr. 1 rated Player for nothing! - Nor is it likely that Rafa could repeat his (once or twice in a life) stellar performance of his 'In the Zone' win against Novak ! -
I would not be so certain! - The Australian Open is not Roland Garros and Djokovic is not the Nr. 1 rated Player for nothing! - Nor is it likely that Rafa could repeat his (once or twice in a life) stellar performance of his 'In the Zone' win against Novak ! -
Not convinced about that. At Australian open in 2019 Novak completely blew Rafa off the court 6-3 6-2 6-3. Everyone was saying at that time that will dent Rafa and he would be vulnerable rest of year. He ended up playing some great tennis at next 3 GS's winning two of the, okay he didn't face Novak but his confidence was just fine.
I think Novak will feel confident when on a hardcourt/grass
I think Novak will feel confident when on a hardcourt/grass
Just 7 grand slam titles outside of the French. Really poor return to be honest.
Nadal is the greatest no doubt about it
Good to see Djokovic get destroyed like that and winning 13 Slams at one place? Incredible achievement.
As a sidenote, why didn't the BBC make more of a deal about young Briton Alfie Hewitt winning his 4th Grand Slam title yesterday?
As a sidenote, why didn't the BBC make more of a deal about young Briton Alfie Hewitt winning his 4th Grand Slam title yesterday?
Djokovic is a brilliant player, but he is no where close to Federer or Nadal when they are playing at their peak
RF & RN will go down as the greatest two to have played the game. They have done so much for the sport, got the interest going of the followers for well for 15 years now
It's not the tally of match wins /Slams only which decides who the greatest is, it's the whole package which counts
RF & RN will go down as the greatest two to have played the game. They have done so much for the sport, got the interest going of the followers for well for 15 years now
It's not the tally of match wins /Slams only which decides who the greatest is, it's the whole package which counts
I'm a huge Federer fan and will always think he is the greatest but Djokovic is formidable. Better head to head against both and took down Nadal at the French as well as holding all 4 slams at once at one stage, that's exceptional by any measure.
Roger, Novak then Rafa anyone who thinks any different knows nothing about the game of tennis.. all 3 men will go down as GOAT and rightly so but roger takes the mantle as the greatest no question.
Huge Nadal and Federer fan, but Djokovic's hit a height better than both IMO. I personally rank Nadal as the best player over their respective careers so far, but Djokovic in 2011 (holding 3 slams) and 2015-16 (holding all 4 grand slams) was essentially peak performance overall. Nadal - greatest on clay by a million miles, but Djokovic's been more dominant all-round at times during a strong era.
It will always be a great debate who was the GOAT. All amazing players but if the GOAT is not just slams them for me it’s Federer. He plays the most beautiful tennis, that has to count for something. Also doesn’t take 40 seconds between points either, which can be annoying with Rafa and Novak
At RG yes Nadal is unbeatable but in 2011 neither of them could live with Novak when all three were at their peak.
Complete bias. You can prefer the other two players but don't act like you haven't witnessed Djokovic go near full calendars unbeaten and clean up at tournaments.
He was borderline untouchable in 2011.
He was borderline untouchable in 2011.
I’m a fan of Nadal and Federer over Djokovic to, I don’t get how you can say this. While Nadal has been unbeatable on clay on the other surfaces, Djokovic has had the beating of both of them over the last decade.
What a nonsense statement. He's no where near Nadal and Federer when they are on form. People are so one eyed
I think you also need to look closer at the "Djokovic Package" - to see how close ALL three top player are to each other - in their brilliance. -
Come on, I love Nadal, he is inspiring. The big three are just that. I hope for each of them. Power, grace and tenacity, you pick who I mean.
Completely wrong i am afraid. I remember posters on here saying the same thing about Novak when he crushed Rafa at Australian open final 2019. People were raving it was the complete tennis masterclass.
The fact is at their peak they are all very similar, if one is slightest bit off then on their favourite surface the other one is capable of destroying his opponent like yesterday.
The fact is at their peak they are all very similar, if one is slightest bit off then on their favourite surface the other one is capable of destroying his opponent like yesterday.
"No where close to Federer or Nadal when they are playing at their peak"....really? You honestly believe that? Clearly you missed Roger's comment where he once said that, when Novak's at his best, he can't beat him. Both Rafa and Roger have losing records against him, yet Djokovic can't compete, apparently. I admire and respect all three of them for what they bring the game.
I still don’t rate him. I don’t know why
Just 7 grand slam titles outside of the French. Really poor return to be honest.
Better luck next time, Novak.
But Novak is petulant and so are you.
Congratulations to Nadal.
Djokovic was not up for it today, but he still fought hard and showed sportsmanship until the end. No crying like Fed or feigning injuries like Raf when he is beaten.
Novak will be back!
Djokovic was not up for it today, but he still fought hard and showed sportsmanship until the end. No crying like Fed or feigning injuries like Raf when he is beaten.
Novak will be back!
For anyone who understands this kind of stuff, so, why does one surface suit a player better than others? Is it to do with their reaction time, speed, centre of gravity, muscle mass? What is it?
Nonsense. No one could seriously accuse McEnroe or Becker or many primarily serve volleyers of playing robot tennis. The moans go in cycles - on clay “there’s too much rallying , the points are too long, it’s boring” - will be followed a few years later by on grass “it’s all serve, the points are too short, it’s boring”. If you like tennis you’ll realise there’s merit in both.
I still think Roger has to be classed as the best of all time, he's Roger and at his best it's just a fact that he was better, even if Rafa goes on to win his 21st, 22nd which I am sure he will. But maybe the argument for the second best of all time has now been settled, relentless, timeless, and pure class on and off the court.
For me Roger may even be 3rd best. Certainly for me behind Rafa considering his inferior head-to-head and inability to beat him at Roland Garros. 2008 Wimbledon final particularly edges Rafa ahead of him and he beat Roger at the Aussie Open too. Yes the slam record for nadal is skewed but 13 at any major has to be considered as great if not greater than 13 spread across 3 or 4 majors
"I still think Roger has to be classed as the best of all time" - fair enough.
But... "he's Roger and at his best it's just a fact that he was better" - not so much.
beaten more by both players across over all three surfaces - this is hardly a fact and more a fiction
But... "he's Roger and at his best it's just a fact that he was better" - not so much.
beaten more by both players across over all three surfaces - this is hardly a fact and more a fiction
Just 7 grand slam titles outside of the French. Really poor return to be honest.
For anyone who understands this kind of stuff, so, why does one surface suit a player better than others? Is it to do with their reaction time, speed, centre of gravity, muscle mass? What is it?
It’s primarily to do with style of play, players strongest from the backcourt with great ground strokes tend to favour clay and slower courts like the French; serve and volleyers with a good net game tend to favour faster courts like Wimbledon. Some are great on both - Borg springs to mind - but Roger has I think won only one French and many great Wimbledon champs have never won the French.
Rafa ....EL REY DEL TENIS !
Goodbye, Fed
Goodbye, Fed
The game is called lawn Tennis. Clay is not relevant in real terms.
French needs to be dropped as a slam.
French needs to be dropped as a slam.
Errr...the game is called Tennis and was invented in France infact. So the most relevant tournament is French Open.
The king of clay definitely but to compare him to either Federer or Djokovic is insane.. 13 of Rafa’s 20 grand slams have come on clay, Federer is the GOAT and Djokovic will cement his legacy tucked in firmly behind roger...
Had injuries not have dogged him over the years Nadal would have a few more I'm sure. Bit of a one trick pony mind.
Rafa on clay is just sports dominance on another level. Genuinely think he could be contending for titles there in to his 40s.
Strange match from NJ. All that great form, was fresh after the semi-final, roof was closed, but he didn't show up and was soundly beaten.
What happened?
What happened?
What happened was he got his backside handed to him. Vamos Rafa......
Couldnt replicate the level hes shown in 2020 that was all.
He was outclassed
Outstanding!
The best clay court player ever without a shadow of a doubt. I did not expect such a margin. Re GOAT: I still prefer Federer over both Nadal and Djokovic and for me he is the best ever, subjective that opinion though is
hang on.... I never thought anyone would beat Sampras's record! - FFwd a few years... roger: 20, Rafa: 20, Novak: 17 ... Rafa on clay alone nearly beating it! ... you never really hear much of Sampas any more, his incredible feats are more like a side note now.
Great isn't it..and I'm old enough to have enjoyed the Borg, Mac and Connors era. Of course in those days you could only view one slam, Wimbledon on tv, but as a tennis fan I feel SO lucky to have been around for both eras, and this one is not finished yet!
Rafa has played 102 matches at Roland Garros and won 100 of them. Just think about that level of consistency over 15 years. Even if more people feel that Roger is the GOAT, that statistic alone makes Nadal a complete legend and worthy of our admiration.
Rafa and Roger are so different with such different styles, approach, etc. it's difficult to compare them and I think they are on a par as GOAT. Novak has a LOT to do to come near.
Really? "a lot"? - I love R&R, but Novak is a badass (annoyingly) - more masters the anyone, catching up with Feds 300-odd weeks at no 1. catching up fast in GS count, 83.2% win ratio compared to Rafas 83.3% - I think the only thing ND needs to do to become GOAT is to match the slam count and/or maybe win RG - then again if RN wins Aus Open he becomes out-right GOAT - so the race is still on!
https://arcader.com/tennis-game/
Now the tennis has finished, you can play some here online, like i am.
Now the tennis has finished, you can play some here online, like i am.
Djokovic is a brilliant player, but he is no where close to Federer or Nadal when they are playing at their peak
RF & RN will go down as the greatest two to have played the game. They have done so much for the sport, got the interest going of the followers for well for 15 years now
It's not the tally of match wins /Slams only which decides who the greatest is, it's the whole package which counts
RF & RN will go down as the greatest two to have played the game. They have done so much for the sport, got the interest going of the followers for well for 15 years now
It's not the tally of match wins /Slams only which decides who the greatest is, it's the whole package which counts
"took down Nadal at the french" - the year Nadal had 1 leg. Nobody counts it
Yep think Federers inferior records to both hurts his campaign for being the GOAT. The fact Rafa has beaten him in a Wimbledon final and Roger hasn't at RG is also huge and now looks certain that Nadal will end up with more slams than Fed. ND isnt dominant in his h2h against Nadal and coupled with 3 fewer Slams I would say right now Nadal is the greatest- certainly things could change in 2021
Agree with that.
'it' s killing me'... (Roger while crying after losing to Nadal and not in French open.... )
47 down-votes in response to your fair, perfectly balanced observation about Djokovic's achievements only reveal the ridicuous, pro-Rafa/pro-Roger bias at work because they're clearly worried. If Djokovic ends up with the most Slams (and he's already broken all records in the Masters 1000 events), he still won't get the credit he deserves. At least not from the immature, blind and biased, anyway.