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Rafael Nadal’s 3 best performances from his 12 French Open victories

By Brandon Daniels

TOPSHOT - This combination of pictures created on June 9, 2019 shows Spain's Rafael Nadal posing with the Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) during his twelve victories in the men's French Tennis Open at the Roland Garros stadium. Nadal poses with his trophies (From top L to bottom R) on June 5, 2005; on June 11, 2006; on June 10, 2007; on June 8, 2008; on June 6, 2010; on June 10, 2018; on June 5, 2011; on June 11, 2012; on June 9, 2013; on June 8, 2014 and on June 11, 2017 and June 9, 2019. - Rafael Nadal claimed a 12th French Open title on June 9, 2019 with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 against Austria's Dominic Thiem. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - This combination of pictures created on June 9, 2019 shows Spain's Rafael Nadal posing with the Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) during his twelve victories in the men's French Tennis Open at the Roland Garros stadium. Nadal poses with his trophies (From top L to bottom R) on June 5, 2005; on June 11, 2006; on June 10, 2007; on June 8, 2008; on June 6, 2010; on June 10, 2018; on June 5, 2011; on June 11, 2012; on June 9, 2013; on June 8, 2014 and on June 11, 2017 and June 9, 2019. - Rafael Nadal claimed a 12th French Open title on June 9, 2019 with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 against Austria's Dominic Thiem. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images) /
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In honor of Rafael Nadal’s 34th birthday, we take a look at his 3 best French Open titles in his record-setting career, taking into account domination over the field and the hurdles he jumped to win.

Rafael Nadal is the undisputed King of Clay. WIth 12 Roland Garros titles, along with 11 at both Monte Carlo and Barcelona, the Spaniard walks into every tournament on the surface as the favorite and almost always walks away with the victory.

In honor of Nadal’s 34th birthday, we’re going to take a look at his 3 best performances from his 12 Roland Garros victories. We’ll take into account his dominance over the field in regards to sets won versus lost, as well as the hurdles he had to overcome to win the title in the given year.

Rafael Nadal (ESP) wins the French Open title in Paris, defeating Mariano Puerta (ARG) 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 at Roland Garros in Paris, France on June 5, 2005. (Photo by Cynthia Lum/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) wins the French Open title in Paris, defeating Mariano Puerta (ARG) 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 at Roland Garros in Paris, France on June 5, 2005. (Photo by Cynthia Lum/Getty Images) /

1. 2005

There’s isn’t many victories better than the first. Nadal wasn’t able to compete in the 2004 tournament due to injury, but he certainly made up for it the year after. This tournament marked the beginning of a historic run over the next 15 years. 19-year-old Nadal was set to compete in his first appearance in Paris and his first appearance at a Grand Slam as a seeded player.

Nadal was regarded as the favorite, regardless of his inexperience in Paris. It obviously didn’t matter for the young Spaniard; he lost only 2 sets en route to the final, beat Richard Gasquet in a straight-sets quarterfinal victory, and handled #1 seed, Roger Federer, in 4 sets.

The World #2 entered the finals against unseeded Mariano Puerta. The two engaged in a tight first set, with Puerta taking it in a tiebreak. Nadal stormed back and took control of the match, winning the final three sets 6-1, 6-3, 7-5. It was the coming-out party for the young dirt star and marking the turning point in tennis. Roland Garros was no longer a tournament that could be won by many, but instead an event that will end the same way: A Nadal victory.

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