When it comes to the French Open, Rafael Nadal stands alone. The Spaniard has more than earned his nickname ‘The King of Clay’, having won the Paris Grand Slam on 12 separate occasions, a remarkable achievement. No tennis player in history has won a single Grand Slam more times than Nadal has won Roland Garros, proof of his dominance of the event over the last 15 years or so. As the 2020 edition continues, Nadal is once again the favourite in the French Open betting odds.
In that time, the Spaniard has won some cracking matches to take the crown. The final of a Grand Slam is always a challenging occasion, no matter who the opponent is. Any tennis player, whether they’re a proven champion or a first-time Grand Slam finalist, will feel the butterflies in their stomach ahead of the final of one of the big four tournaments, but Nadal has proven on numerous occasions that he can handle that pressure.
Nadal’s success at the French Open deserves analysis, so we’ve had a look at what we feel are his five best and most significant French Open final victories.
2005 vs Mariano Puerta
Nadal’s first victory at the French Open came in 2005 against Argentine player Mariano Puerta. The Spaniard had only just turned 19 when he took to the court for the final, having defeated the great Roger Federer in the semi-finals. Nadal had already begun to show his supreme talents on clay courts, having entered that year’s French Open on a 17-match unbeaten streak on clay.
In the end, Nadal showed great resolve to win his maiden Grand Slam. Despite losing the first set on a tiebreak, he then reeled off three sets in a row to claim the first French Open title of many.
-
Ep 101: Conference Championship Sunday - Preview, Prop Bets, and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on January 29, 2023 at 11:25 am
2008 vs Roger Federer
The 2008 final against Roger Federer was perhaps not notable for its drama, but rather for the ease in which Nadal beat the Swiss competitor, and the affect that victory had on the Wimbledon Championships which were to follow. Nadal was outstanding on the day, asserting his dominance throughout to win easily, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0.
It was the third time in a row that Nadal had defeated Federer in the French Open final, and the nature of the victory clearly gave the Spaniard an extra boost of confidence heading into Wimbledon, where he beat Federer again, this time in a classic five-set thriller to win his first Wimbledon title.
2012 vs Novak Djokovic
Around the time of the 2012 French Open final, Novak Djokovic was without question the best player in the world, and was bidding to become just the third man in history to hold all four Grand Slam titles at once. But Nadal had other ideas, and produced a fine display in a rain-affected final, which carried over into the Monday, to win his seventh French Open title.
2014 vs Novak Djokovic
The Spaniard and the Serb came face to face once more in 2014, and again it was Nadal who came out on top, despite Djokovic winning the opening set. It was another chance missed for Djokovic to complete his career Grand Slam, as Nadal found his form to win three sets on the spin and win the French Open for a remarkable fifth successive year.
2017 vs Stan Wawrinka
However, Nadal would not win the French Open again until three years later, when he defeated Stan Wawrinka in straight sets to complete an emotional return to form. Nadal had struggled with injuries, fitness, and form in the years in between his 2014 and 2017 French Open victories, and the win over Wawrinka at Roland Garros was proof that he was back to his best. He has won the Paris Grand Slam every year since.
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Pacers at Grizzliesby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Drake at Belmontby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Heat at Hornetsby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 2:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Rutgers at Iowaby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Michigan State at Purdueby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 12:00 pm
-
Ep 101: Conference Championship Sunday - Preview, Prop Bets, and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on January 29, 2023 at 11:25 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Michigan at Penn Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 10:00 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Providence at Villanovaby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 8:00 am
-
Raptors at Blazersby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Mavs at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm