 |
| Rafa after winning his 13th Roland Garros. Image Courtesy: Instagram |
Rafa equals Federer, wins his 20th Grand Slam
“ You merely adopted the clay, I
was born in it , moulded by it…”
- Rafael Nadal after winning his 13th French open Title
More than 15 years ago, a 18 year
old teenager first lift the Roland Garros Trophy by defeating Mariano Puerta.
That day was the arrival of a giant named Rafael Nadal in Tennis history. Today
he is standing with his record 13th French Open Titles within just
15 years. That is truly unmatchable. How can someone dominate the clay with
this high intensity?
2020 Roland Garros was
delayed at first because of world pandemic. That was in late May. Two of the four
major tennis tournaments were cancelled. But US Open authority said they would
arrange the tournament at the scheduled time in September. In late August
Roland Garros authority declared that the only major clay tournament would be
held in late September. Paris became pretty much under control at that time. Nadal
announced that he would not participate in the US Open because of bad situation
in New York. He was preparing for French Open. But someone who wasn’t touch
with professional tennis for almost six months, it was very tough for him to
start everything with his highest level, though he is Rafael Nadal.
The start was not pretty good.
He competed in the Rome Masters for his 10th Title. Unfortunately in quarter final he lost
to Diego Schwartzman for the first time in his career in straight sets. And his
toughest rival, Novak Djokovic who was recently disqualified from the US Open for
hitting the line Umpire, won his 5th Rome Masters under light, and took
a step ahead with record 36 ATP Thousands Masters Title while Nadal standing in
35 titles. Djokovic gradually became the top seed for French Open.
 |
| Nadal after defeating Diego Schwartzman in Semi Final. Image courtesy: Instagram |
First time analysts, former champions took Djokovic over Nadal to win French Open. It is very tough situation for Rafael Nadal. But we all know he is a tremendous athlete and his mental strength is much higher than his arch rivals. But this Roland Garros was completely different from other French Opens. A new court was introduced- Phillipe Chatrier. And it was said that most of the matches would be played in under light. It means a very soothing atmosphere for Novak Djokovic. Ball was not bouncing, no sign of top spin and those went to Djokovic’s favor as he is the master of sliding in the court. Nadal usually loves the ball bouncing and wants to target the opponent’s backhand. Till 4th round nothing looked like any challenging for him. He was trying to improve his first serve match by match. In quarter final Nadal faced young sensation Italian J. Sinner who just defeated Alexander Zverev in five sets thriller. In the first set Rafa broke Sinner’s serve. But it was not easy first set for Nadal. Sinner broke back. First set went to tiebreaker. Nadal won first set 7-6 (7-4). Later, Rafa took control of the game, won the match 7- 6, 6-4 , 6-1. The match ended 1: 30 at night. It was very cold , almost ten or twelve degrees. Rafa looked very disturbed because of the conditions he played the match. “ The weather…it’s too cold to play tennis” he said at the press conference. It was all set to an interesting Semi Final Between Nadal and Schwartzman who recently defeated him at Rome open. Many said Nadal would face a very difficult match against Diego Schwartzman who was in terrific form, won a five sets thriller against World no. 4 Dominic Thiem who is often called the ‘ prince ‘ of Clay and recently won his first Grand Slam in US.
In first two sets of the
Semi Final Rafa went to his intense level, took a huge lead 6- 3, 6- 3, though
service game was not good enough. In third set it was inches fight. Rafa broke
two times, Diego came back each times breaking Rafa ‘s serve. It goes to
tiebreaker where the Argentinean had no answer for Rafa’s attacking game. Rafa
easily took the tiebreaker 7-0. It was a good match for him but he could end up
the match before if he didn’t miss easy points in third set.
On the other side in the
second Semi Final Djokovic won 6-3, 6- 2, 5- 7, 4- 6, 6- 1 against Stefanos
Tsitsipas. Two megastars were on a head to head at Roland Garros Final. It was
a very good chance for Djokovic to win each Slam two times for the first time
in major history. Nadal was approaching his 13th French Open Titles
and equaling Federer’s 20 Grand Slams mark. All eye set to the Finale: Nadal’s
20 or Djokovic’s 18?
It would be their 56th head to
head. In previous matches Djokovic had a lead of 29- 26. Rafa already said Djokovic
is his toughest rival. Djokovic commented Roland Garros as Rafa’s Home in press
conference. A prestige fight for Nadal? Pretty much, as he never lost in Roland
Garros final, it is completely his throne but the conditions were favorable for
Djokovic who is probably the most consistent player in each court of the game.
Toni Nadal commented “ conditions favor Novak Djokovic, but I have faith in
Rafa".
 |
| Rafael Nadal biting his 13th French Open Trophy. Image Courtesy: Instagram |
The Final started, under the roof of Phillipe Chatrier, three thirty at afternoon. Under light Djokovic is always very effective, we all know that. Djoker's serve for first game, Nadal broke first time in the final. The start was excellent from Nadal, no chance for Djokovic. Rafa was returning almost all the balls and tactically looking very sound. Attack is generally a later part of Nadal’s game, defense is his formidable strength. Carlos Moya said the press before match that they are planning to target Djokovic’s serve as they were not effective so much in the tournament. Rafa's intense attack went on and he just blown away Djokovic’s service game. He has no answers for Rafa’s returns. Nadal took the first set 6-0 !! What Nadal was doing, big surprise for Djokovic. After fifty five minutes of match starting, in second set Djokovic won his first service game. He was trying to come back in the match but Nadal was playing very hard, fighting for every point, continuously pushing Djokovic much backward. Djokovic used one hundred fourteen drop shots before the final. He used it in the final thirty times but failed to earn points fifteen times. Nadal had a clear plan for his drop shots. Nadal has a very good foot speed. He used it right time at the final and was able to find replies for Djokovic’s drop shots. Nadal took second set 6- 2. Djokovic is probably the only player who has the ability to win a match from any situation. But it was Roland Garros and Rafa was leading two sets to love. Rafa broke first time in the third set and took a lead 3- 2. Djokovic broke back for the first time in the final. Till the eleventh game of the third set they were fighting hard and it looked that Djokovic found his way in his services and returns. Lots of good points won by each player. In the eleventh game Djokovic’s two double faults caused Nadal to lead 6-5 and very close to the championship. Nadal looked very calm while serving for the match and a stunning forehand drove the way to his 13th Roland Garros victory. It was his 100th win at Roland Garros. The “ King of Clay" shows why he is 99.99 percent perfect at his throne. It is his home, his kingdom where other hundred twenty seven players compete to win the title against him. He is now at the same mark with Roger Federer, each with twenty Grand Slams, while Djokovic is not far behind in the GOAT race, standing in 17.
Rafa is undoubtedly the greatest
clay court player. He is 34 now. 3- 4 French Open titles more? Possible, as no
one is still not good enough to win at “ Rafa" Garros.
Post a Comment
Please do not enter any spam link in comment box