Rafael Nadal was praised by international media yesterday after winning the French Open for a 12th time to take his tally of majors titles to 18, only two short of the record held by Roger Federer.
“At 33, with 18 Slams, Rafael Nadal is a more complete player than ever,” tennis.com wrote. In Nadal’s home country Spain, Marca wrote: “Eternal legend of Roland Garros. There will never be anyone like Rafa again,” while AS simply said, “Nadal is an alien.”
Nadal became the first tennis player to win one grand slam a dozen times when he beat Dominic Thiem 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in Sunday’s final.
“Impregnable Nadal: 12 wins at 12 finals in Roland Garros,” El Pais wrote In France, L’Equipe sports daily headlined “Herculean” and said: “With the 12th victory of his career in Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal has confirmed that he is definitely the king of Porte d’Auteuil.
“Above all, however, he won his 18th Grand Slam title and is thus closer to Roger Federer and his 20 trophies. But can the Spaniard catch up with his big rival at the age of 33 or even surpass him?” Switzerland’s Neue Zuercher Zeitung wrote: “He has adjusted his game somewhat. He acts more aggressively, with the aim of keeping the rallies shorter out of consideration for old age and his equally impressive and fragile body. “But Nadal remains Nadal — and beating him on sand over three winning sets remains one of the biggest challenges across all sports.” Tages-Anzeiger wrote: “It is impressive how many physical setbacks he has put behind him in his career. He never lets himself be discouraged, always finds his way back to his top level. And how he has developed his game over the years, has become more aggressive and tactically more flexible.”
Britain’s Guardian said: “Rafael Nadal, hair thinning, legs slowing imperceptibly but genius intact, remains unbeatable on the clay of Roland Garros.”
The Independent wrote: “They have rebuilt the main stadium here at Roland Garros but in the new Court Philippe Chatrier the old champion once again reigned supreme.”
The New York Times also referred to the changing look of Roland Garros over the years in its report of the final. “But for now, and for honestly who knows how much longer, Nadal, 33, remains a pillar of the place: more immovable, as it turns out, than many a stadium,” it said.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal (R) holds the Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) as he poses with Australian tennis legend Rod Laver in Paris on Sunday.
