If someone told you Rafael Nadal was the best male tennis player ever, it’d be hard to argue. But between Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, among others, there might at least be a warranted conversation. When it comes to excellence on clay — specifically on the clay at the French Open — Nadal is unmatched.
On Sunday, Nadal beat Casper Rudd (a +390 underdog) in straight sets in the French Open Final. And while credit is due to Rudd for putting up a fight, he probably never really stood a chance against the King of Clay.
The win gives Nadal his astonishing 14th title (where he’s also never lost) at Roland-Garros. No one else in men’s tennis history has more than eight French Open titles. Here is the moment of pure jubilation for the Spaniard as he adds yet another Grand Slam trophy to his collection:
