It has been one of the most drammatic finals in tennis history with so much at stake. From one side Rafa wanted to become the first man to win 7 Roland Garros, on the other Nole wanted to get his Novak Slam (alias hold all slams at the same time).
The match has already been suspended on Sunday because of the rain when Rafa was 2-1 sets up, but 1-2 (and a break) down. The two players entered the court on Monday with a different feeling. Both were really tense, but Rafa had something Nole was lacking of: experience. The Mallorcan was able to master this tricky situation possibly taking some fond memories from his epic final in Wimbledon 2008. The Mallorcan knew what to do from the outset taking advantage of Nole’s bad habit: the Serb had another false start to lose his service game and bow in the next game. Rafa got an immediate 3-2 lead. Then the match went on with both players unable to express their usual tennis paralized by the fear of committing cheap mistakes. Nole’s face was as white as a ghost when he had to serve to remain in the match when he was 4-5 down (surprisingly that was an easy hold), but the Serb was clearly overwhelmed when he had to serve again when he was 5-6 down. The world no.1 gave the match and the championship to Rafa with a terrible double fault. 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
So… what to say? Rafa dominated all his opponents during the last two weeks (well.. during the last 8 years) on clay. He lost at the French Open only once with a staggering 52-1 record and he grabbed his 11th major.
“It is an honour and for me the most important tournament, the greatest in my eyes,” said Nadal. “This is an unforgettable moment for me, there are a lot of emotions. It was a privilege to play against one of the best players in the world.”
“I started to lay better in the third set. I hoped to play a fifth set. The first interruption [a set and 5-3 down in the second set] helped me. But the second break did not,” Nole said. “The playing conditions were not good. But it’s not anybody’s fault, and it’s not the reason why I lost today. I reached the final for the first time here, so I wouldn’t change anything. Everything happens for a reason.”
Great players and great sportsmanship, the tennis is in a remarkable golden era.
