Spain’s Rafael Nadal lifts up his cup after defeating Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in their final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Sunday, June 8, 2014. Nadal won 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4.PARIS – Trying to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open is, without a doubt, the toughest task in tennis. Indeed, must be among the greatest challenges in all of sports.
The pressure he applies, from set to set, game to game, point to point, shot to shot. That bullwhip of a high-bouncing, topspin lefty forehand. Those quick-reflex returns that help him break an opponent’s serve – and his will.
Doing what he does so well on the red clay of Roland Garros, a surface and site he dominates so completely, the No. 1-seeded Nadal wore down No. 2 Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 in a muggy final Sunday to win his ninth French Open championship and fifth in a row, both records.
“For me,” Nadal said, “playing here in Roland Garros is just unforgettable, forever.”
It is also his 14th Grand Slam title overall, tying the 28-year-old Spaniard with Pete Sampras for the second most by a man, behind only Roger Federer’s 17.