Rafael Nadal wins 10th French Open title after defeating Stan Wawrinka
Rafael Nadal sealed a record tenth French Open title with a dominant win over Stan Wawrinka on Sunday afternoon. The Spaniard…
Rafael Nadal sealed a record tenth French Open title with a dominant win over Stan Wawrinka on Sunday afternoon. The Spaniard…
Jelena Ostapenko became the youngest player to win a slam since Maria Sharapova (US Open 2006) with an astonishing comeback…
Swiss star reaches fourth Grand Slam final
Although he was disappointed to suffer a one-sided loss to Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros final, Stan Wawrinka is choosing to focus on the gains he’s made over the past three weeks.
Congratulations on a great fortnight in Paris, Stan.
Always a champion. #RG17 pic.twitter.com/DMv2V0YEBC
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2017
Wawrinka started his clay season with a 2-3 record before coming alive at the right moment, as he so often has throughout his career. He retained his title on home soil in Geneva and then stormed into the semi-finals in Paris without losing a set. On Friday, his fitness was on full display as he fought through World No. 1 Andy Murray in a marathon five-set match.
The Swiss star admitted not being able to replicate that same level against Nadal, but said simply making another it to a Grand Slam final is a positive result for him.
“I was nervous this morning about the match, about the final, about playing against him. But when I entered the court, I enjoyed it and appreciated being in the final of a Grand Slam. That’s always something special and you need to see that from the bigger picture,” said Wawrinka. “This score wasn’t good. The match wasn’t good. But at the end of the day, there are a lot of positives to take from the past few weeks.
“I was really down three weeks ago, not winning matches in Masters 1000 events or playing my best tennis. There was a lot in doubt in my game,” he added. “In three weeks, I won in Geneva and made the final of a Grand Slam, so that’s big for me.”
“I know what it takes to win a Grand Slam tournament. I have done it before.”
Wawrinka savors 2nd RG final: https://t.co/UMBK0KghFH #RG17 pic.twitter.com/eswn5JzuDz
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2017
Wawrinka was also full of praise for Nadal completing the historic La Decima at this event. Having faced Nadal in 19 FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings, with the first dating back to the 2007 Australian Open, he boldly claimed that the Spaniard has reached new heights with his tennis.
“What he did is so big for the sport. He’s playing the best he’s ever played,” said Wawrinka. “He’s an amazing fighter. There is always one more ball coming back. There is always spin on the ball. There is always a different bounce than what other players can make on this surface. He creates a doubt that you can’t have if you want to beat him.”
Wawrinka, No. 3 in the Emirates ATP Rankings will put on his grass-court shoes in a few days as he competes next at the Aegon Championships in London, which starts 19 June. Wawrinka has hired Paul Annacone for the grass-court season in a bid to prevail at Wimbledon, the lone Grand Slam he has yet to win.
“I want to progress and make strides. I’m very happy with my team and all the people who are around me. But we had some discussions in order to get a new vision and another view of my game. That’s why we have decided to turn to Paul,” said Wawrinka. “He has a lot of experience, so I hope that I will move in the right direction.”
Rafael Nadal described his “joy” at winning a record 10th French Open after beating Swiss third seed Stan Wawrinka in the final.
The Spaniard, 31, won 6-2 6-3 6-1 to secure ‘La Decima’ at Roland Garros, and his 15th major title.
Nadal – who won without dropping a set in the tournament for the third time – said he could not have imagined such success when he first won 12 years ago.
He said: “In 2005, I thought in 2017 I’d be fishing on my boat in Mallorca.”
Nadal added: “I didn’t really think I’d have such a long career and win so many tournaments.”
Nadal swept through the final in two hours and five minutes to extend his all-time lead at Roland Garros, with 10 titles to Bjorn Borg’s six in the open era.
He said: “This tournament has been very special to me, and it’s true that it is unprecedented.
“Trust me, I’m very happy that I’m the one who did it.
“If I can do it, someone else can do it.
“But you need the right circumstances, the right ingredients to win 10 French Open titles.
“I don’t know if I will ever get to meet the player who will do better than I did.”
Nadal has struggled for form and fitness since his last Grand Slam title at the French Open three years ago, but has enjoyed a resurgence this year.
Wawrinka had been expected to pose the first serious examination of Nadal’s new-found confidence but he was brushed aside like the previous six opponents.
“For sure he’s playing the best he’s ever played,” said the Swiss.
“But not only here. I think since the beginning of the year, you can see he’s playing more aggressive, staying more close from the line.
“That’s clearly the best he ever played. That’s why he’s winning so much again.”
Nadal’s forehand has been one of the great tennis strokes for over a decade, but his backhand has grown in potency – he added 36 backhand winners to 90 forehands at Roland Garros this year.
His game has also become more attacking over time.
The Spaniard won 60% of his points in under four strokes, 72% of his first-serve points and a stunning 74% behind his second serve.
Famously slow between points, Nadal moved forward at every opportunity once the action began and, comfortably finishing points at the net, made it through each match at Roland Garros after an average one hour and 44 minutes.
Wawrinka, on the other hand, needed two-and-a-half hours per match.
“If you play Rafa, if you’re not completely free with what you think and what you’re going to do, and not completely relaxed the way you’re going to play, you have no chance,” said the Swiss.
Nadal has been setting records since he burst on to the Tour as a 15-year-old, but 16 years on he shows no sign of stopping.
Only Margaret Court has won more titles at a single Grand Slam tournament, and seven of her 11 Australian Open wins came before tennis turned professional.
Martina Navratilova won Wimbledon nine times, while Federer and Pete Sampras are among Nadal’s closest male challengers with seven victories in SW19.
Nadal becomes the third man to win a Grand Slam title in his teens, his 20s and his 30s, following Ken Rosewall and Federer, and appears capable of adding more.
In terms of the French Open, Nadal narrowly failed to match Bjorn Borg’s astonishing 1978 tournament, during which the Swede lost just 32 games – Nadal’s total of 35 included a quarter-final that lasted only 10 games as opponent Pablo Correno Busta retired.
However, the Spaniard’s 10 titles and 79-2 match record tower over Borg’s tally of six titles and 49-2 record.
There were emotional scenes on Philippe Chatrier Court as Nadal’s coach and uncle, Toni, was asked to take part in the trophy ceremony.
The 56-year-old has coached Nadal since childhood, taking the decision to change his naturally right-handed nephew into a left-handed tennis player.
He has been present in the player box for each of his nephew’s 10 victories in Paris, but will retire from life on the Tour at the end of 2017 to run Nadal’s academy in Majorca.
“For me it’s unbelievable,” Toni Nadal told Roland Garros Live.
“We are lucky in this life because we receive so much. I never thought that my nephew can win 10 times he in Roland Garros. It’s unbelievable.
“It’s the last for me as a coach but I hope I can see my nephew playing many more times here.”
Toni Nadal’s role as head coach will be taken by Carlos Moya, the 1998 French Open champion who joined the team in December.
Moya, 40, has seen his new charge reach the Australian Open final, losing to Federer, and now reclaim his French Open title.
“Every match in this tournament has been better than the one before, so I think it’s been a perfect tournament for us,” said Moya.
Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent:
Nadal lost just 35 games in seven matches at Roland Garros: his aura has been well and truly restored to its former glory.
He has 10 titles in Paris and on the evidence of the past fortnight could make it a round dozen if he can avoid the injuries which have so often held him back.
He is back within three Grand Slam titles of Roger Federer – both clearly have the power to add to their tally – and the world number one position could be his by the end of Wimbledon.
He is closing in on Andy Murray, who has a mountain of points to defend on the grass.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash: “I’m totally shocked to see him do it. I didn’t think I’d see him come back to win another Slam, let alone emphatically.
“You can’t look too far ahead in the world of sport but who’s going to stop him? He could get another couple of French Open titles.
“Perhaps he can go into the grass court season with nothing to lose. Andy Murray at his best will give him a great run but if Rafa comes up and starts whipping the balls all over the place like he has here, he’ll be really dangerous.”
Three-time French Open winner Mats Wilander: “Mike Tyson had a gameplan until he got punched in the mouth and that’s what happens when you play Nadal. You get out there and realise ‘hold on a second, I don’t even know how to win points, let alone sets’.
“Four games he dropped at most – in any match and any set. That’s incredible.
“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.”
French Open doubles finalist Fabrice Santoro on playing against Nadal: “You have someone over the other side of the net who is so strong physically, who hits the ball that hard, and plays every single point like a match point. We are not talking about winning a match, set or a game. Winning one point is difficult.”
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Magnus Norman, Stan Wawrinka’s coach and 2000 French Open runner-up: Simply too good. Congrats to Rafa and his team. Amazing 10 Roland Garros.
Donna Vekic, WTA player and Stan Wawrinka’s girlfriend: Absolutely insane Rafael Nadal congrats!!! #10 Proud of you Stan Wawrinka
Fernando Verdasco, Spanish former world number seven: Can someone describe with words what Rafael Nadal achieved today?
Tommy Haas, German former world number two: I don’t think many can put it into words and I don’t think many understand this accomplishment, truly incredible. Congrats, Champ10n.
Mardy Fish, American former top 10 player: It is so cool to have played in the era of Federer and Nadal. The two greatest players of all time in the same era. Amazing. Congrats Rafa.
Annabel Croft, former British number one: Huge congratulations to Rafael Nadal winning his 10th Roland Garros title! One of the greatest sporting achievements ever!
Judy Murray, Britain’s Fed Cup captain and mother of three-time Slam winner Andy: Amazing job. Amazing commitment. Amazing family. Well done Toni and Rafa.
Rafael Nadal is one of the most recognisable faces in world sport.
But how well do you know the 10-time French Open champion, who created history by beating Stan Wawrinka in Sunday’s men’s singles final at Roland Garros?
Test yourself in our fun quiz. And no cheating.
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal made history by winning a record 10th French Open title with victory over Stan Wawrinka in the Paris final.
Nadal, 31, came through 6-2 6-3 6-1 against the Swiss third seed to claim his 15th major title.
He becomes the first man or woman in the Open era to have won a Grand Slam tournament 10 times.
Wawrinka, 32, was beaten in a major final for the first time after winning his first three.
Nadal moves above Pete Sampras on the list of all-time Grand Slam winners into second place behind Roger Federer, who beat the Spaniard to win his 18th at the Australian Open in January.
Only Australia’s Margaret Court has more victories at a single Grand Slam tournament, with 11 Australian Open wins between 1960 and 1973.
The Open era, when the Grand Slam tournaments allowed professional players to compete with amateurs, began in 1968.
Securing a 10th title in Paris – La Decima – further entrenches Nadal’s place as the greatest clay-courter in history.
The Spaniard won the title for the loss of just 35 games over the course of seven matches, second only to six-time champion Bjorn Borg’s 32 at the 1978 French Open.
He extended his record at Roland Garros to 79 wins and two losses since his first victory in 2005, the only defeats coming against Robin Soderling in 2009 and Novak Djokovic in 2014.
Martina Navratilova won Wimbledon nine times, while Roger Federer and Pete Sampras are the only post-war players among a group of six men to have won a Grand Slam seven times.
Despite a 15-3 career record against Wawrinka, and an imperious run to the final over the last two weeks, Nadal still had questions to answer heading into the final.
He responded in emphatic fashion, proving he was back to the kind of form that saw off all-comers in Paris for the best part of a decade.
Wawrinka’s firepower off both forehand and backhand had seen off world number one Andy Murray in the semi-finals, but he could not dominate Nadal in the same way.
The Spaniard’s relentless depth and power left Wawrinka trying for his spectacular winners from too wide and too deep, opening up the court for Nadal’s forehand to deliver the decisive blows.
A scrappy start from both men in hot conditions saw Wawrinka miss the first break point in game three, and fail to earn another.
While the Swiss could not stop leaking errors, Nadal found his rhythm and began skipping around his backhand to fire off forehands, breaking serve at 4-2 and again to seal the set.
Four winners and 17 errors from Wawrinka told its own story, and he found himself 3-0 down in the second as Nadal stretched his run to seven games in a row.
Wawrinka’s frustration boiled over as he smashed his racquet on the clay – snapping it over his knee for good measure – moments before losing the second set.
Another fizzing forehand winner swept Nadal through to a love break of serve at the start of the third and the nine-time champion had too much experience to let such a commanding lead slip.
The Philippe Chatrier Court crowd did their best to haul Wawrinka back into the match but Nadal was now simply unstoppable, breaking serve twice more before collapsing in joy when the Swiss netted on the second match point.
Analysis from former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash on BBC Radio 5 live.
“I don’t like to use the term ‘greatest of all’ but it’s hard not to with this guy. It’s just absolutely phenomenal.
“Rafa’s style of play is so effective on clay, he’s lightning fast and ruthlessly tough. He’s got incredible power.
“He’s got all the attributes you need to just go on and on. He’s in the minds of his opponents. Even the greats are crumbling at his feet on this surface. They cannot even compete with him.
“The only two times he’s lost here, he’s been injured. He cannot be touched on this surface. It was an incredible performance.”
Rafael Nadal, speaking on court, said: “I play my best in all events but the feeling I have here is impossible to describe and you can’t compare it.
“The nerves and adrenaline I feel on this court is impossible to compare. It’s the most important event in my career.”
Stan Wawrinka said: “Rafa, I have nothing to say about today. You were too good.
“You are a great example and it’s always been an honour to play against you. Congratulations on your career, to you and your team.”
British number two Heather Watson lost the final of the Surbiton Trophy in straight sets to Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova.
The number six seed went down 6-4 7-5 in a match lasting one hour and 33 minutes in south-west London.
One break of serve was enough to give Rybarikova the first set.
Trailing 5-4 in the second, Watson prolonged the match by breaking her opponent, but the world number 192 won the next two games to take the title.
The grass-court season has arrived on the ATP World Tour and a familiar face is atop the draw at the MercedesCup. Top seed Roger Federer leads the field in Stuttgart, his first tournament since going back-to-back at the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami two months ago.
Federer, who has a first-round bye, opens against either wild card and close friend Tommy Haas or Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert. A potential quarter-final clash against another German veteran, Mischa Zverev, could also await the Swiss. Third seed Tomas Berdych, who faces either Stephane Robert or Bernard Tomic in the second round, is another seeded threat in Federer’s half of the draw.
If 35-year-old Federer faces 39-year-old Haas, it would be their 17th FedEx ATP Head2Head encounter and first since 2014, when the Swiss prevailed in straight sets in Indian Wells. They have met five times on grass, with Haas earning his lone victory in the 2012 Gerry Weber Open final.
View Stuttgart Draw
Federer reached the quarter-finals in Stuttgart last year, where he succumbed to Dominic Thiem in three sets. Owner of the most grass-court titles in the Open Era (15), the eight-time Halle champ will look to add a ninth on German soil. Victory over Haas or Herbert would give him his 20th match win of the season and No. 1100 of his career.
Second seed Grigor Dimitrov leads the charge in the bottom half of the draw, opening aginst either Andrey Kuznetsov or Jerzy Janowicz. Last year’s runner-up Philipp Kohlschreiber is unseeded, as is 2009 champion Jeremy Chardy, who triumphed when the tournament was held on clay.
Held at the Tennisclub Weissenhof E.V Parlerstrasse, this is the 40th edition of the MercedesCup and third on grass, having transitioned from clay in 2015.
Unseeded pair defeat Gonzalez/Young in doubles final
Michael Venus and Ryan Harrison scored their first Grand Slam titles on Saturday at Roland Garros, prevailing in a marathon battle of unseeded teams. They edged Santiago Gonzalez and Donald Young 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3 in two hours and 14 minutes.
“You always dream of winning a Grand Slam every time you’re playing as a kid. You idolize people you see winning Grand Slams. You picture yourself in those moments, so it hasn’t really sunk in yet. It feels a little surreal,” said Harrison. “It’s even more special that we’re able to do it alongside each other because he’s like a brother. He’s been a part of my family. He taught me how to drive. He was someone who was there for a lot of memorable moments of my life, including my wedding, being one of my groomsmen. To have him with me at the most special moment of my career is surreal.”
Harrison/Venus required a deciding set in all six of their victories to take the title. They are the first doubles team in Roland Garros history to win a deciding set in every match since the doubles event was shortened to best-of-three sets in all rounds in 1990.
The milestone moment came in only their fifth tournament together. Harrison/Venus also prevailed last month on the red clay of Estoril (d. Marrero/Robredo). Venus now has won seven ATP World Tour doubles title and Harrison has four, but all of them had previously come at the 250-level.
Venus had never reached the last eight at a major prior to this fortnight and hadn’t won a set in three previous appearances at this event. The 29-year-old Kiwi is only the fifth New Zealander to win a Grand Slam title and the first man to do so since Onny Parun took the doubles title here (w/Crealy) in 1974.
“I had been knocking on the door and in the third round of a few majors. You never know going into a partnership how well it’s going to work out. You’re always hoping for the best,” said Venus. “What helped us a lot is knowing each other so well. It’s great be able to share this with someone so close.”
Harrison hadn’t reached a Grand Slam semi-final before his run with Venus. The 25-year-old American has been excelling throughout 2017. He won his first ATP World Tour singles title this February in Memphis and currently sits at a career-high Emirates ATP Ranking of No. 42.
Despite the loss, Gonzalez/Young also enjoyed a breakthrough week by reaching their first Grand Slam final. Gonzalez is the first Mexican to contest a Grand Slam final since Leonardo Lavalle at Wimbledon in 1991. Young is only the fourth African-American male to compete in a Grand Slam final, joining Arthur Ashe, MaliVai Washington and Bryan Shelton.