-
Rafael Nadal celebrating after winning his fifth French Open title. (AP)
His triumph at Roland Garros has earned him the nickname “The King of Clay”. Rafael Nadal is back on top after beating Sweden’s Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 on the red clay court of the 2010 French Open finals on Sunday.
Nadal reinstated not only the French Open title but also his ranking as world’s No. 1 tennis player, replacing Roger Federer. You can also call it a sweet revenge to Soderling, who ended his unbeaten record, knocking him out of the fourth round last year.
‘I was very nervous through the tournament,’ Rafa admitted. ‘Last year was very difficult and I had to retire during the Australian Open. Everybody has doubts about themselves and I am no exception. This was very important.’
“I lost last year because I was not well-prepared, and I had very low morale last year, as well,” said Nadal. “But this time, I’m back,” said Nadal, who covered his face with a red towel and shed some tears when the match ended. “I’m back — and I win.”
“He has more or less one game,” Soderling said, “but he does it so well.”
Nadal, who won the title without dropping a set, is just the second man to win Roland Garros five times and running his record at the clay-court Grand Slam to 38-1. He is now within one victory of equalling Bjorn Borg’s record of six titles.
Nadal’s uncle and coached, Toni, called Sunday’s performance “one of the best matches I’ve ever seen Rafael play.”
In fairness to Robin Soderling, he displayed an impressive game against Rafael Nadal. Would love to see them again on the grass-court at Queen’s or Wimbledon.
