Rafael Nadal, a retired tennis legend, boasts an impressive career with 22 Grand Slam singles titles. His dominance at the French Open is unparalleled, earning him a statue at the tournament’s entrance.
Novak Djokovic once remarked, “It’s probably one of the biggest challenges that you can have in the tennis tour, playing Rafa at Roland-Garros.” This highlights Nadal’s formidable presence on the court.
Nadal’s achievements at Roland-Garros are unmatched. He has won 14 singles titles there, more than any other player in any Grand Slam event. The closest competitor in the Open era is Bjorn Borg with six titles. Chris Evert leads the women’s category with seven wins.
French Open Dominance
Nadal’s record at the French Open stands at 112 wins and only four losses, giving him a remarkable .966 winning percentage. His rare defeats came against Robin Soderling in 2009, Novak Djokovic in 2015 and 2021, and Alexander Zverev last year. These losses highlight how rare it was for Nadal to be beaten on this stage.
When facing Roger Federer at Roland-Garros, Nadal remained unbeaten, securing victories in four finals and two semifinals. Against Djokovic, his record was 8-2. If Nadal reached the final, he always won, claiming all 14 title matches from his debut in 2005 to his last win in 2022.
Impressive Set Records
Nadal’s set record at the French Open is equally impressive. He was pushed to five sets only three times but emerged victorious each time. These matches were against John Isner in 2011, Djokovic in 2013, and Felix Auger-Aliassime in 2022.
His longest winning streak at Roland-Garros spanned from 2010 to 2015, during which he won 39 consecutive matches and secured five trophies. This streak underscores his dominance on clay courts during that period.
This year’s French Open will honour Nadal with a ceremony at Court Philippe-Chatrier after Sunday’s day session. His legacy at Roland-Garros remains a testament to his exceptional skill and determination on clay courts.