Rafael Nadal calls this ‘Special Victory’ as his fondest memory in tennis


Rafael Nadal calls this ‘Special Victory’ as his fondest memory in tennis

Rafael Nadal won his 20th Grand Slam title at his favourite hunting ground, winning his 13th French Open trophy defeating World No.1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets. With this victory, Nadal is now tied on 20th Grand Slam titles with Roger Federer for the record of most Grand Slams won in the men’s circuit.

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Due to the ongoing global pandemic, the French Open was postponed to October instead of May and June when it is usually played. The change in time made it a very different tournament, with winter setting in France and the balls becoming heavy. Many speculated Nadal would find it difficult to dominate like he usually does.

Rafael Nadal: The conditions haven’t been the perfect ones for me

Rafael Nadal wins 20th Grand Slam.
Rafael Nadal posing with his 13th French Open, 20th Grand Slam title

“Well, my best memory is Roland Garros 2020,” Nadal spoke in a video for Babolat. “I enjoyed an amazing tournament,” he added.

Novak Djokovic was cited as the favourite to win the French Open due to the change in conditions. Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic, made a bold statement before the semi-finals that Rafael Nadal stands ‘no chance’ against the Serbian. However, Nadal won the final 6-0, 6-2, 7-5.

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Nadal won the tournament without dropping any set and steam-rolled to his favourite trophy. “An unexpected victory in my opinion because the conditions haven’t been the perfect ones for me,” Nadal said.

Djokovic won the 2021 Australian Open and now has his Grand Slam tally at 18, 2 behind Nadal and Federer. 2021 will be exciting as the Big 3 would be on the lookout for another Grand Slam to add to their tally.

Also Read: Find out: This skill of Rafael Nadal most fans don’t know about

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