Spaniard Rafael Nadal is not called the ‘King of Clay’ for no reason.
Nadal defeated Austrian Dominic Thiem 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 to lift his 12th French Open title and his 18th Grand Slam overall. By achieving this feat, he became the first ever to win 12 singles championships at the same Grand Slam. He previously held a joint record with Margaret Court for winning the maximum number of singles titles at the same Grand Slam – Court has won the Australian Open 11 times. He is now only two Grand Slam titles short of Roger Federer’s record 20.
“It is incredible. I am very, very happy,” Nadal said. “It is something very special. It is difficult to imagine winning so much in the same place, particularly here at Roland Garros. You cannot say it is a dream, because I never dreamed of such a thing.”
Nadal’s first victory at the Roland Garros came in 2005. Today, at the age of 33, he still regains his mastery over his most loved court.
Women’s Singles title
In the women’s singles final, Australian Ashleigh Barty beat teenager Marketa Vondrousova from the Czech Republic in straight sets 6-1, 6-3 to win her first Grand Slam and Roland Garros title. She also became the first Australian in more than four decades to win the French Open. Margaret Court was the last Australian to win this honour in 1973.
Interestingly, Barty had left tennis to play professional cricket in Australia for a year in 2015.
Isn’t this a performance par excellence by these two sportspersons? Do let us know what you think about it!
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