Roland Garros owned by Rafa Nadal after 10th title win
What a way to win the tenth, 'la décimo'! It has been Nadal's best Roland Garros, from start to finish, and that is saying something. Present at the tournament since 2005, without fail, we have seen him win 79 games and lose only two. The French organisation have recognized this achievement by handing over a full-size replica of the trophy, instead of the small version that is usually awarded to the champion. Such a gentleman, such honour. And back in Spain, where we've often thought the French looked down on the Mallorcan's dominance (some justified which will see the ex-sports minister in court soon), let us acknowledge the gesture.
Rafa Nadal, better than ever
But, as I was saying, no one has won with this level of ease. Without losing a set, playing fewer games than ever. It has been a sensational resurrection, after so long out that it had provoked pessimistic prognoses and the infamous suspicions of the ex-minister. But yesterday we read in AS the opinions of many who know: McEnroe, Bruguera, Corretja, Arantxa, his brother Emilio, Kuerten, Wilander, Smith... Everyone had him as the favourite. Now he is playing better, this is the general consensus. Better than before. It is no longer barrage tennis to outlast the opponent, tiring him out first. Now it is tennis that is played more with the head and less with the legs.
All Spaniards have Rafa satisfaction
This new resurrection has, in truth, pleasantly surprised me. It's not that has won his tenth Roland Garros title at 31 years of age, but that he has won with more authority than ever topped off with a dazzling final. You have to feel for Wawrinka: he bit the ball, broke the racket, hit himself. What can you do against this guy? That is what he would have been wondering. Off the court, Rafa's Uncle Toni, who will now step aside, must have felt tremendous inner satisfaction. With less right, but the same intensity, all Spaniards felt the same; we feel Nadal as our own and yesterday we enjoyed two delicious hours in front of the TV.