"One month and a half ago, if you told me you're going to have this trophy with you again, I will say, 'This year will probably be too difficult,'" said Nadal. Nadal continues his run of never having lost a French Open semifinal. The finalists exchanged several extended rallies that saw both well outside the doubles lines, Nadal habitually coming out on top. "I have always had the utmost respect for my friend Rafa as a person and as a champion," Federer, "Therefore it is a true honor for me to congratulate him on his 20th grand slam victory. Rafael Nadal produced one of his finest French Open displays to stun Novak Djokovic and equal Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam men's titles. "I don't forget how tough is the situation in the world," he said. They were capped at 1,000 because of the ongoing pandemic, with tennis players now used to competing behind closed doors or in front of small numbers. Peter Bodo: Rafael Nadal won his 13th French Open, tied the men's all-time record with his 20th Grand Slam title and took down No. Rafael Nadal beat world number one Novak Djokovic in the 2020 French Open final at Roland Garros on Sunday. It was, inevitably, the latter, yet the loser held his head nearly as high as the winner at the end. The Serb had only suffered defeat in one match in 2020 -- that. All the superlatives you can use, he deserves them.". It's a stunning score and results and records that he's got on this court. 1 again. He had won their last three grand slam matches and they were huge blows to Nadal -- including in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros five years ago. What both sought to exploit was their eye for an angle and it was a delight to watch as they finessed close-quarter points with uncanny anticipation and the sharpest of 30-plus reflexes, alongside full-muscled winners deep and wide. Nadal leads 9-6 in Grand Slam matches, including 6-1 at the French Open. Rafael Nadal has drawn level with Roger Federer on 20 career Grand Slams after ruthlessly dismissing Novak Djokovic 6-0 6-2 7-5 to win the French Open. That is a near impenetrable shutout of their contemporaries in the Open era. Spain’s Rafael Nadal (L) celebrates after winning the French Open final against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (R). "In the sport, the life change quick.". Spaniard equals Roger Federer’s haul of 20 grand slam titles. He is an automatic favorite at the event, as admitted by Djokovic himself. More specifically, winning a 20th grand slam title to equal pal and fellow "Big Three" member Roger Federer's men's all-time record. A 13th title will also give him his 100th win on the Parisian clay. Nadal was dominant throughout the final at Roland Garros. Defending French Open champion Ashleigh Barty opted to skip both majors amid coronavirus concerns. Victory over an opponent who had not lost in 38 completed matches all year put him in the most illustrious centurions’ club, alongside Chris Evert’s 101 wins at the US Open, Federer’s 102 in Melbourne and 101 at Wimbledon, and Serena Williams, who has won 106 times at Flushing Meadows. Lungs sucked hard at the cool air. "I am just excited and of course is something that means a lot to me," he said. He declined to celebrate drawing alongside Federer, intent instead on embracing the moment as his national anthem filled the near-empty stadium. But this is indeed Nadal on clay. The first time they played in Paris in 2006, Djokovic retired with a back injury in the second set. Just to play here is a true inspiration and the love story I have with this city and with this court is unforgettable.". But Djokovic said nothing was amiss while the drop shots were a tactic to try to disrupt his foe's rhythm. "Winning 13 times, yeah, there's not much you can say. Rafael Nadal of Spain hugs the Musketeers’ Cup as he celebrates victory following the men’s singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during day fifteen of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 10, 2018, in Paris, France. Djokovic wilted with ball in hand and Nadal read his umpteenth drop shot to lead 4-1. Rafael Nadal of Spain hugs the Musketeers' Cup as he celebrates victory following the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during day fifteen of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 10, 2018 in Paris, France. Rafael Nadal's bid to equal Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slams at this year's French Open remains alive following victory over Jannik Sinner in the tournament's latest ever finish. And while Nadal is 99-2 over his remarkable career at Roland Garros -- “It’s his house,” Djokovic said — it is worth noting that one of those defeats … World No 2 thrashes No 1 seed 6-0, 6-2, 7-5, Spaniard equals Roger Federer’s haul of 20 grand slam titles. “Maybe in the future someone will witness something better but, in my mind, that’s the biggest sporting achievement any sport will ever see.”. 10 Oct 2020 2020 French Open men's final: Preview, stats and more In the end, Nadal showed great resolve to win his maiden Grand Slam. "I do not think today about the 20th to equal Roger on this great number," he said as he addressed the crowd. Nadal compiled a healthy 31 winners to only 14 unforced errors to hand the 17-time grand slam winner the worst loss in any of his 27 grand slam finals. Available for everyone, funded by readers. Djokovic and Tsitsipas go the distance Nadal was cruising at 4-2, 30-0 in the third yet suffered a blip to give Schwartzman hope. Nadal enters the French Open 2020 with a 93-2 record at the event. "Especially the one here. After the second set ended, it was clear Djokovic wouldn't be the first man in 83 tries to come back from two sets down against Nadal at Roland Garros, and an inevitable break resulted at 2-2 in the third. That's all there is to it. It was Nadal’s 27th win in their rivalry, his ninth in 16 grand slams and eighth in nine encounters at Roland Garros. “It’s just beyond anything that anyone could have imagined,” said the tournament director, Guy Forget. There was almost equal carnage in the second set before Djokovic launched the inevitable fightback in the third to lend the occasion a garland of respectability it deserved. It kickstarted a brief renaissance as he went ahead 4-3. "At the same time share this record between us, that we had an amazing rivalry for such a long time, is something in some way beautiful I really believe. He said the tournament's new balls and cool weather don't favor his spin heavy game -- the coronavirus pandemic prompted organizers to move the event from its usual late May start -- but the 34-year-old Spaniard overcame the different conditions to tally a 13th Roland Garros crown and 100th win in southwest Paris. Rafael Nadal demolishes Novak Djokovic to win 13th French Open title. French Open French Open 2020: Rafael Nadal thrashes Novak Djokovic in final – as it happened Rafael Nadal, the world No 2, thrashed the top seed and world No 1 Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 Evert on Rafael Nadal's record At many stages in this compelling struggle the scoreboard seemed at odds with what was happening on court. It was compelling theatre and tough to watch. Australian Open: Vasek Pospisil on the hard quarantine for players, Australian Open: Controversy surrounds tournament as players complain of lack of practice, Patrick Mouratoglou on Serena Williams, the men's game and the future of tennis, Daniil Medvedev: ATP Finals champ reflects on biggest win of career, Remembering the Original 9, the pioneers of women's tennis, Naomi Osaka on raising awareness for racial injustice with her masks, US Open champion Dominic Thiem on his epic comeback, The tennis grand slam that will be like nothing ever seen before, Dominic Thiem on the Adria Tour, US Open and tennis in the age of coronavirus, Novak Djokovic tests positive for coronavirus after Adria Tour event, Time Out: Bianca Andreescu aims to be tennis' GOAT, Time Out: Naomi Osaka draws and tries to come out of her shell, Novak Djokovic plays through pain to reach French Open semifinals. Nadal was broken for the first time and Djokovic got the crowd going with his emphatic celebration. Roland Garros means everything to me. Rafael Nadal bites the winning trophy after claiming the French Open title for the 13th time time with a straight sets victory over Novak Djokovic. Djokovic was now moving better and launching himself into shots though Nadal met the challenge and yelled "come on" to hold for 4-4. Djokovic was not so reluctant: “Today you showed why you are king of the clay,” he said to his humble friend. Here are their vital statistics. It took him an hour and a half to hold again, stretching the second set a little longer. Rafael Nadal continues to be virtually unstoppable at the French Open, winning his 12th title Sunday after beating Dominic Thiem for the second straight year. Nadal had already begun to show his supreme talents on clay courts, having entered that year’s French Open on a 17-match unbeaten streak on clay. They’re tied 4-all in major finals. All rights reserved. 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