Tennis: Nadal’s extraordinary achievement
With “new dates, new balls and a new roof” over its main court, this year’s French Open had an unfamiliar feel, said Stuart Fraser in The Times. But in one respect, there was nothing new about the Grand Slam: it ended last Sunday with the “same old men’s singles champion”, as Rafael Nadal beat his “arch-nemesis” Novak Djokovic to claim his 13th title on the Roland Garros clay. Nadal had expressed concern that the autumnal weather, combined with the heavier balls being used this year, would dampen his effectiveness on his favourite surface. His fears proved unfounded: Nadal didn’t drop a set in making it to the final, and in that match, played under Court PhilippeChatrier’s new roof, he produced one of his finest ever performances to beat Djokovic 6-0 6-2 7-5.
It was the Spaniard’s 100th match win at Roland Garros – in just 102 appearances. It also marked the 34-year-old’s 20th major title – placing him on an equal footing with his other “great rival”, Roger Federer. shot” with which the Serb had tormented his opponents all tournament. “I wanted to disrupt his rhythm but he was ready,” Djokovic said. “He was there; he was prepared.” With this victory, Nadal is now “odds-on” to overtake Federer’s major haul – very possibly “when Roland Garros returns to its normal spring slot (pandemic permitting) in seven months’ time”. Afterwards Federer was one of the first to congratulate his old friend and rival. “Well done, Rafa. You deserve it”, he wrote on social media.