Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from tennis on Thursday, stating that he will play his final matches at the Davis Cup finals in November. This decision brings to a close an illustrious career in which he secured an impressive 22 Grand Slam titles, including a remarkable 14 victories at the French Open. Since making his debut at Roland Garros in 2005, Nadal has achieved an extraordinary record of 112 match wins and only four losses at this prestigious tournament.
His journey at the French Open began in 2005 when he won his first title at just 19 years old, defeating Mariano Puerta in the final. This victory made him the youngest Grand Slam champion since Michael Chang in 1989 and the first man to win the French Open on his debut since Mats Wilander in 1982. Nadal continued to make history, becoming the first player to defeat Roger Federer in a Grand Slam final in 2006, ending Federer's hopes of holding all four majors simultaneously.
Over the years, Nadal built on his early successes, winning consecutive titles and solidifying his dominance at Roland Garros. Notably, in 2008, he delivered one of his most memorable performances by defeating Federer in the final with a devastating score of 6–1, 6–3, 6–0. This win not only marked his fourth consecutive title at the French Open but also inflicted Federer's worst loss in a Grand Slam match.
As Nadal continued to compete, he showcased his resilience and skill, winning multiple titles and breaking records. In 2010, he avenged a previous defeat by defeating Robin Soderling to reclaim the title without dropping a set. By 2017, he achieved an unprecedented milestone by winning his 10th French Open title, making him the first man to win the same Grand Slam event 10 times.
Nadal's most recent French Open triumph came in 2022 when he defeated Casper Ruud to capture his 14th title at Roland Garros, despite battling a foot injury. This victory at the age of 36 made him the oldest male champion at the French Open, adding to his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of tennis. With a staggering record of 112 match wins at the tournament, Nadal's impact on the sport will be felt long after his retirement.
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