Rafael Nadal has defeated world number one Novak Djokovic in the French Open final to equal Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles.
The Spanish superstar and world number two beat his Serbian opponent 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 on Sunday, securing his record-improving 13th triumph at Roland Garros.
He is now tied with Federer, of Switzerland, as the player with the most men’s singles major titles.
Nadal did not cede a set in his favorite tournament this year. He improved to 100-2 at the French Open, including a combined 26-0 in semifinals and finals, and picked up his fourth consecutive title in Paris.
When Nadal ended the final with an ace, he dropped to his knees, smiled widely and pumped his arms.
“During the lockdown, I had very complicated months,” he said after his win. “Nobody knew about it but physically they were very difficult months for me, so the fact I stayed inactive during those months it was difficult for me to be fit, and it was very complicated to return to training. ”
The 34-year-old left-hander from Spain previously put together streaks of four French Open championships from 2005-08, then five in a row from 2010-14, to go alongside his four trophies at the US Open, two at Wimbledon and one at the Australian Open.
Nadal is now even with Federer for the first time since each man had zero Slams to his name in 2003. Federer’s first arrived at Wimbledon that year; Nadal, naturally, earned his first in France in 2005, by which point he trailed 4-0.
Djokovic’s loss left him at 17 majors; had he won, the trio’s standings would have read 20-19-18.
Nadal is the oldest French Open champion since 1972 and the more than 15 years between his first and most recent Grand Slam titles is the longest such span for a man.
This was the 56th installment of Nadal vs Djokovic, the most meetings between any pair of men in the professional era, and their ninth in a Grand Slam final, equaling Nadal vs. Federer for the most.
After the victory, Nadal did not fall on his back as is his habit but was on his knees. In the on-court interview, he said: “I want to thank the organisers and people around the world. We are in very difficult times with this virus. Do stay positive and I wish you all the best. The most important moments in my career have been here in this city. Merci beaucoups.”
Djokovic praised Nadal and said: “What you do on this court (and in your whole career) is unbelievable. These are difficult times, and we thank the organisers for making it possible for us to play the sport we love.”
Information from Aljazeera was used in filing this report