Rafael Nadal created history yet again on Sunday. The 31-year-old turned 2015 champion Swiss Stan Wawrinka into a human punchbag. In just two hours, Nadal regained his Roland Garros throne with a brutal 6-2 6-3 6-1.
This title, an unprecedented 10th at a single grand slam in the professional era, was arguably the most impressive one.
With the win, Nadal has now moved to World No 2 behind Andy Murray while Wawrinka moves to No 3 in the world. “In 2005, I thought in 2017 I’d be fishing on my boat in Mallorca,” Nadal said, moments after winning the historical tournament.
Nadal has been setting records since he burst on to the Tour as a 15-year-old. Sixteen years on, he shows no sign of stopping.
Here’s a look at the 10 glorious final moments from each of the 10 French Opens where Nadal won.
2005
v Mariano Puerta, 6-7 (6) 6-3 6-1 7-5
2006
v Roger Federer, 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 (4)
2007
v Roger Federer, 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4
2008
v Roger Federer, 6-1 6-3 6-0
2010
v Robin Soderling, 6-4 6-2 6-4
2011
v Roger Federer, 7-5 7-6 (3) 5-7 6-1
2012
v Novak Djokovic, 6-4 6-3 2-6 7-5
2013
v David Ferrer, 6-3 6-2 6-3
2014
v Novak Djokovic, 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-4
2017
v Stan Wawrinka 6-2 6-3 6-1
