Rafael Nadal coasted to a record 10th French Open title on Sunday, demolishing Stan Wawrinka in a brutally one-sided final that also earned the Spaniard a 15th Grand Slam crown.
Nadal, 31, triumphed 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to become the first man in history to win the same major 10 times. His collection of Slams now stands just three behind great rival Roger Federer, a staggering statistic coming just a year after he quit Roland Garros with a wrist injury.
Playing in his 22nd Grand Slam final, Nadal triumphed in Paris without dropping a set for a third time. He also lost just 35 games in total and only six in the final, his most comprehensive victory since allowing Federer four games in the 2008 final.
Rafael Nadal celebrates with the trophy after winning the French Open final against Stan Wawrinka at Roland Garros, Paris, France on June 11, 2017. /VCG Photo
"It's really incredible. To win La Decima is very, very special," said Nadal. "I am very emotional. The feeling I have is impossible to describe. It's difficult to compare with other tournaments but the nerves and adrenaline I feel, it's like no other place."
Nadal was joined in the presentation by his uncle Toni, his coach since boyhood, who is stepping down at the end of the year.
"Without my uncle I would not have won 10 trophies," said Nadal who will rise to two in the world rankings on Monday. "For me to be here for many years is difficult to describe. I come back and see people I have a good relationship with and it's very special."
Rafael Nadal serves during the French Open final against Stan Wawrinka at Roland Garros, Paris, France on June 11, 2017. /VCG Photo
'Rafa, just too good'
"It's difficult for me to compare this to any other event. You are always going to be in my heart," said Wawrinka, who was bidding for a fourth Grand Slam title.
"Rafa, I have nothing to say – you were too good," said third seed Wawrinka. "You are a great example and it's always been an honor to play against you."
It was the 22nd Slam finale for Nadal; just the fourth for Wawrinka, the oldest man in the championship match in 44 years. Sunday was also the first time since 1969 that the Roland Garros final had featured two men over 30.
Stan Wawrinka in action during the French Open final against Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, Paris, France on June 11, 2017. /VCG Photo
Despite having spent more than five hours on court getting to the final, 2015 champion Wawrinka had the first break point in the third game. The 32-year-old couldn't take it and it proved to be the only break point he earned all afternoon.
From there, it was all downhill. Nadal was unable to convert four break points in the fourth game. No matter as he broke through for 4-2 and then went to set point in the eighth game after a relentless forehand barrage sapped the will out of Wawrinka.
A backhand which sailed long gave Nadal the first set with the Spaniard having crunched 10 winners to Wawrinka's four while committing half the unforced errors.
Nadal forced Wawrinka into another forehand error to break for 2-0 in the second set before the Swiss halted a run of seven games lost with a hold for 1-3.
But the song remained the same, Nadal taking the set in the ninth game, just moments after Wawrinka, who knocked out world number one Andy Murray in the semis, had destroyed a racquet in utter frustration.
First game of the third set and Nadal broke again as the man who stunned him in the 2014 Australian Open final suffered further damage. Nadal was soon a double break to the good for 4-1, held for 5-1 and then claimed a huge slice of history when Wawrinka limply dropped a backhand into the net.
Rafael Nadal (R) shakes hands with Stan Wawrinka after winning the French Open final at Roland Garros, Paris, France on June 11, 2017. /VCG Photo
'A feat that will never happen again'
Nadal's unprecedented 10th French Open title drew praise from across the tennis community.
His longtime rival and 18-time grand slam champion Federer hailed "simply incredible Rafa."
"An amazing 10th title at Roland Garros for Rafael Nadal – that will never happen again. Congratulations to a true champion on and off the court," said nine-time Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova.
"There are so many improvements to his game that he's a better player now than he was when he won Wimbledon two times before (in 2008 and 2010)," three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander said. "Today's Rafa would beat the Rafa of 2005 who won his first French Open and wouldn't drop more than three games a set."
(Source: AFP, Reuters)
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