Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final match of the French Open tennis tournament against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in three sets, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Roger Federer has congratulated rival Rafael Nadal on pulling even at 20 Grand Slam titles. In an Instagram post Sunday after Nadal’s victory over Novak Djokovic in the French Open final, Federer wrote that he has “always had the utmost respect for my friend Rafa as a person and as a champion.”
Federer calls Nadal “my greatest rival over many years” and says they “pushed each other to become better players.” Federer says he hopes “20 is just another step on the continuing journey for both of us.” The message ends with Federer saying: “Well done, Rafa. You deserve it.” Federer, who is 39, sat out the French Open and the U.S. Open while missing most of this season after having two operations on his right knee.
Rafael Nadal has matched Roger Federer with his 20th Grand Slam singles title.
Nadal’s 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Novak Djokovic in the French Open final was also Nadal’s 100th career match win at Roland Garros. The Spaniard improved to 100-2 at the tournament. Nadal didn’t drop a set in this year’s tournament. He served an ace on his first championship point. It was Djokovic’s second loss this year. His only other defeat in 2020 came when he was defaulted from the U.S. Open last month for inadvertently hitting a line judge in the throat with a ball he smacked in anger during a fourth-round match against Pablo Carreño Busta.
Djokovic remained with 17 Grand Slam titles.
Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 to win a record-extending 13th French Open and match Roger Federer with his 20th Grand Slam title. The top-ranked Djokovic remained with 17 Grand Slam titles. Rafael Nadal leads Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2 in the French Open final and is one set away from a record-extending 13th title at Roland Garros.
Djokovic saved three break points before holding his serve in the opening game of the second set to finally get on the board. Nadal then broke twice for a 4-1 lead in the second and held from there. Nadal has not dropped a set in the tournament.
Rafael Nadal won the first 6-0 against Novak Djokovic in the French Open final. Nadal has not lost a set at Roland Garros this year. He is seeking a record-extending 13th trophy at Roland Garros. Nadal saved three break points at 3-0 and served an ace on his first set point. Nadal also won the first set 6-0 against Djokovic en route to last year’s Italian Open title.
The French Open final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is underway with the retractable roof closed on Court Philippe Chatrier. It began to rain shortly before the match started. Nadal is seeking a record-extending 13th trophy at Roland Garros and can match Roger Federer with his 20th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic is seeking his 18th Grand Slam title. It’s the 56th meeting between Nadal and Djokovic. That’s the most meetings between two men in the sport’s professional era. Djokovic leads 29-26 overall. Nadal leads 6-1 at Roland Garros.
Source: Associated Press