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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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PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy following the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy following the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

3. 2019

Fast-forwarding to the present, Nadal went into the last Roland Garros tournament as the 2-time defending champion but was ranked as the 2nd seed (Djokovic’s success in Australia and from the laster part of 2018 gave him the #1 ranking). He had been so-so on clay and only won one clay tournament during the season (in Rome). He hadn’t won only one clay tournament since 2015, where he was kept out of much of the season with knee injuries.

Nadal was still considered the favorite despite his #2 ranking. He cruised into the finals, only losing one set to David Goffin in the third round. He easily took care of 7th-seeded Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals 6-1, 6-1, 6-3, and followed that up with a just-as-easy win over Federer in the semifinals (6-3, 6-4, 6-2).

Related Story. The trials and tribulations of Nadal's record-setting 12th Roland Garros victory. light

After Thiem, the consensus future clay star, bested Djokovic in a tight 5-set semifinal, the two best clay-court players were set to face off against each other. Nadal struggled in the first two sets, winning the first but losing the second. Nadal turned on his second gear and absolutely dominated for the final two sets. During the 4th set (a 6-1 Nadal win), the King didn’t lose a single point on his serve. He dialed up the aggression of his serves and returns, and as a result, he captured 12 of the 16 points with rallies under 4 shots.

Nadal went to the net 14 times in the final two sets and won 13 of those points. His aggression left Thiem searching for answers, but none came for the young Austrian. It was Nadal’s longest Roland Garros final since the 2014 final against Djokovic. Not much has changed from his first championship to his most recent.

Next. Top 3 Roland Garros moments in the Open Era. dark

He’s the most dominant clay-court player ever, dispatched both the past and the future of clay stars, and could easily win a few more titles in Paris before his career ends.

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