Roland Garros/French Open
Photo courtesy of Yann Caradec's Flickr Page - Rafael Nadal: https://www.flickr.com/photos/la_bretagne_a_paris/5756335239
It was another typical men's final match on the terre battue in Paris earlier today. Some questions before the match about whether this opponent might be the one to finally knock off the "King of Clay" Rafael Nadal in a French Open Men's Final, which nobody had done heading into this match. Ultimately, though, the thoroughness and quickness with which Nadal seemed to dismiss Christian Ruud of Norway, the number eight ranked man in the world currently, was hardly surprising or unexpected. As has happened 13 times before today, another opponent was dispatched with seeming ease by the man who seems to be solidifying the case for being considered "the greatest of all time." This time, Nadal won 6-3, 6-3, 6-0. Ruud was incredibly impressive in Paris for the past two weeks, like many opponents at the French Open in the past almost two decades before facing Nadal. But for the most part, they almost all fall when they face the Spaniard. And when it comes to the men's singles final, no man has ever actually managed to defeat him.
Yes, Nadal has now won here at Roland Garros 14 times in single's competition. That is more - far more - than anyone, man or woman, has won any other Grand Slam championship. In fact, it is more than anyone else - again, man or woman - has won any other tennis tournament, period. Nadal has won as many French Open titles as Pete Sampras, the man who was leading all men in terms of overall Grand Slam championships won, won altogether during his entire care. Of course, three men have now surpassed Sampras in terms of overall Grand Slam titles won. But Nadal seems to be passing both of them fairly seriously. When this year began, Nadal was tied with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer for most Grand Slam championships won overall, each with 20. However, Nadal won the Australian Open championship, making him one of those extremely rare men, historically speaking, who won each Grand Slam event multiple times each. And now, he added to that with still another French Open title, bringing his total in Paris to 14.
For his part. Ruud had a tremendous tournament. He was far more successful in this French Open then he had ever been before at any Grand Slam tournament. Prior to this tournament, he had never reached even the quarterfinal of any Grand Slam tournament. Ruud was the first Norwegian man to ever win an ATP event, and now owns the distinction as the first Norwegian man to ever reach a Grand Slam final. Maybe someday, he can become the first Norwegian man to win a Grand Slam title.
However, it just was not meant to be on this day, in this particular tournament. The greatest ever on clay courts, Rafael Nadal, was not to be denied. Nadal hoisting the Coupe des Mousquetaires has seemed to become an annual event, almost. Such is his level of dominance, that we have come to expect it, despite his advancing age. Does anyone really believe that he cannot win it again, probably even next year?
Nadal is the most decorated man ever in tennis. He has now won 22 Grand Slam titles, more than any other man. Plus, he won the Olympic Gold Medal in 2008, which makes him one of only two men in history to have won every single Grand Slam title plus an Olympic gold. But Nadal has been historically dominant on the clay courts, and particularly here at Roland Garros. He has now won 14 French Open titles, adding to his overall 92 ATP titles in his illustrious career. Fully 63 of them coming on clay. He also historically holds the longest winning streak of anyone on any surface, having once won 81 consecutive matches on clay.
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