Ten French Open titles is a truly amazing achievement. We thought that the bullish Stan Wawrinka might be capable of upsetting Rafael Nadal with his power game, but it was never on the cards. He’s finally lost a grand slam final, so this is a new experience for him, but there’s no shame in falling to a player of this astonishing quality. There is no weakness to Nadal’s game on clay. He was unstoppable and he probably hasn’t finished yet. He goes up to collect that precious trophy for the first time since 2014 - hello, old friend, it’s been a while - and he lifts it in the sky and gives it a big hug. Does he get to keep it? He has tears in his eyes as he listens to the Spanish national anthem. Time to leave it there. Thank you for reading and emailing. Next stop: Wimbledon. Until then!
Updated
He’s everywhere!
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 11, 2017
A beaming Rafael Nadal speaks. “It’s really unbelievable, to win the 10th is incredible, it’s very special. I’d like to thank all of you today. I’m very emotional. I try my best in all the events but the feeling I have here is impossible to describe. For me, the nerves, the adrenaline I feel when I play on this court is impossible to compare. It’s the most important event in my career, so to win here is something I cannot describe.”
The scary thing? Stan Wawrinka didn’t play badly. He just wasn’t allowed to play.
Rafa Nadal’s 15th grand slam title means he’s pulled clear of Pete Sampras. He is only three behind Roger Federer. There can be no doubt that they are the two greatest players of all time.
Rafael Nadal beats Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to claim his 10th French Open title!
Wawrinka is serving to stay in the final, but he’s under immediate pressure when he’s forced to net on the run. Soon it’s 0-30, Wawrinka cracking a forehand long. Nadal’s two points away from victory. Wawrinka keeps him waiting, punching a forehand down the line for 15-30, but Nadal earns two championship points with a superb backhand. He goes for it on the first, only to miss a forehand down the line by a whisker. But he has one more. He loops a deep forehand to Wawrinka, who’s caught completely out of position, forcing him to try a weird volley from the middle of nowhere. Nope. That’s it! Rafael Nadal has completed La Decima and won his 15th grand slam title!
Updated
Third set: Nadal* 6-2, 6-3, 5-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Nadal holds to love. He’s denied us a classic! Selfish.
Updated
Third set: Nadal 6-2, 6-3, 4-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka plays some outstanding tennis. The game still goes to deuce. For a while. Wawrinka has chances to win. He ends up giving Nadal a break point with an errant backhand. Then he batters a forehand long. It’s only a matter of time now.
Third set: Nadal* 6-2, 6-3, 3-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Down 0-30, Nadal wheels back and spanks an inside-out forehand past Wawrinka. What are you meant to do? Not much, other than to keep plugging away and hope for the best, which is how Wawrinka manages to fight his way to deuce. Nadal still holds, though.
Third set: Nadal 6-2, 6-3, 2-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Nadal has an emphatic answer for nearly everything Wawrinka tries, speeding on to a drop shot to plant a backhand down the line for 15-all. The game goes to 30-all after another rollocking Nadal forehand. Wawrinka’s clinging on, though, and holds to 30 with two massive forehands.
Third set: Nadal* 6-2, 6-3, 2-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server): He can volley too. An expert effort on the backhand side makes it 30-0. This is as close to perfection as it’s possible to be. He holds to love with a crushing forehand down the line.
Third set: Nadal 6-2, 6-3, 1-0 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Nadal is 165-1 from two sets up in grand slams, so, well ... y’know. And it’s not long before he has three break points. He’s remorselessly taking Wawrinka’s game apart. Wawrinka saves the first, but Nadal skelps a forehand away to take the second.
Rafael Nadal wins the second set 6-3; he leads 6-2, 6-3!
After an hour and 21 minutes, Nadal steps up to serve for a two-set lead. The fans are chanting his name and there’s a delay before the game can begin. It seems they’re just delaying the inevitable. Wawrinka, determined not to collapse, makes it 15-all with a fine forehand. But Nadal keeps looping high balls to the backhand, eventually coaxing an error to lead 30-15. He seizes control of the next rally with an enormous forehand - but Wawrinka keeps fighting and has a chance to pass Nadal with a forehand, only to snap his racket in two after blootering it long! Nadal has two set points, Wawrinka receives a warning for racket abuse and he’s even more annoyed when he blocks a return wide. This is surely over.
Updated
Second set: Nadal 6-2, 5-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Nadal screeches a backhand from right to left for 0-30, but Wawrinka wills to 40-30 with solid serves and holds with a forehand winner. Nadal will serve for a two-set lead.
Second set: Nadal* 6-2, 5-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Nadal slaps an ace down the middle to hold to love. He’s a game away from a two-set lead.
Second set: Nadal 6-2, 4-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka has a rueful grin on his face after Nadal, from a seemingly impossible position, bashes a miracle forehand down the line. He’s happier when he holds to 15.
When you're not even looking but you hit an amazing winner...
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2017
Un peu de magie ? C'est parti ! #RG17 pic.twitter.com/4bZuEVVTbS
Updated
Second set: Nadal* 6-2, 4-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): The pair trade forehand winners to make it 15-all. There are signs of Wawrinka stirring. Nadal frowns after a backhand sails long, making it 15-30. But there’s no need to panic. Wawrinka can’t deal with the depth of his hitting and Nadal holds to 30.
Second set: Nadal 6-2, 3-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka bounces up and down a little after serve-volleying with assurance and pinging a backhand down the line for 30-0. “Come on!” he shouts after holding to 15. His support team are all trying to urge him on. At least he’s kept himself in the picture.
Updated
Second set: Nadal* 6-2, 3-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Are there any holes in Nadal’s game on clay? Wawrinka wipes sweat from his brow, a bewildered look on his face, and Nadal batters another forehand away to hold to 15.
Second set: Nadal 6-2, 2-0 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka’s flinging his arms around and remonstrating with himself after battering a backhand long for 0-15. Nadal senses an opportunity. He dominates the next rally, peppering Wawrinka with venomous shots, moving into a 0-30 lead when the Swiss sadly nets a nice, earning three break points with a brutal forehand. This is phenomenal. Wawrinka has no answer. He nets a forehand. Three straight breaks for Nadal, who has an iron grip on this final now.
Second set: Nadal* 6-2, 1-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka takes out some of his frustration with a forehand, walloping it out of reach to make it 0-15. It’s a reminder of his vicious threat. Remember, he was a set down to Djokovic in 2014 and ended up winning in four. He won’t give up. At 30-15, he produces a stunning half-volley of a drop shot that leaves Nadal stranded. Nadal’s given a warning for a time violation. He bounces the ball a bit more. Wawrinka nets a forehand return to make it 40-30. Nadal whacks a backhand from right to left and Wawrinka hits long.
Rafael Nadal wins the first set 6-2!
Serving to stay in the set, Wawrinka looks flustered. The relentless of Nadal is having an effect. Wawrinka pulls a forehand wide to make it 15-30. He clambers back to 30-all, but Nadal’s forehand is causing so much damage and it brings him a set point. He only needs one. Forced back and off balance, Wawrinka overcooks a forehand and the set belongs to Nadal.
Updated
First set: Nadal* 5-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Nadal makes it 30-15 with an ace out wide. Feeling a bit sorry for himself, Wawrinka nets a backhand to make it 40-15. Nadal holds with a snappy volley. He was the one dictating things there. He’s taken control away from Wawrinka with wondrous elan.
First set: Nadal 4-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka isn’t getting many free points on his serve. He nets a forehand to make it 0-15. Nadal makes it 0-30, returning brilliantly before ripping a forehand down the line after pulling Wawrinka out of the picture. Wawrinka promptly nets a forehand to hand Nadal three break points. He can’t take the first. Another swaggering return causes problems again for Wawrinka, though, and he ends up slicing a backhand into the net. Nadal breaks and you can’t say it’s not been coming.
First set: Nadal* 3-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Nadal quickly banishes his annoyance at squandering those four break points, charging into a 30-0 lead with a vintage forehand. At 40-0, the game looks done. Wawrinka has other ideas. He pummels a forehand down the line for 40-30. He’s allowed no closer than that, though, Nadal wrongfooting his opponent with an ace down the middle.
First set: Nadal 2-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): There are more errors than winners at the moment. Nerves. Tension. It’s a grand slam final and both men are tight. Wawrinka, trying to force the issue, is that crucial bit tighter. Two poor misses hand Nadal a 15-30 lead. He ignores the sirens, and forces an error from Nadal with some heavy clumps, but he’s facing a break point when he sends a forehand down the line wide. Nadal’s forehand return bounces before it hits the net, though, and the game goes to deuce. More errors stop Wawrinka from closing this out. Nadal has a second break point. He has a third break point. Wawrinka forcefully denies him on both occasions. But Nadal earns a fourth chance with a crosscourt backhand that kisses the line. The pressure, you feel, will tell at some point. But not yet. Another superb serve gets Wawrinka out of bother. In the end, Wawrinka holds and breathes a sigh of relief.
First set: Nadal* 2-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Nadal looks serene at 30-0, only to let Wawrinka back into the game with a couple of errors. His first serve isn’t firing here. Wawrinka’s able to attack off a second serve. And there’s the backhand. He sprays it left to right and charges to the net. Nadal defends well, but Wawrinka earns a break point with a smash. Nadal serves wide to the backhand, though, and Wawrinka goes too big with a bold return. “Come on!” Nadal cries after winning the first early battle. He inches clear with his first ace and holds when Wawrinka misses another backhand.
First set: Nadal 1-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): It’s a nervy start from Wawrinka, who slaps a forehand into the net for 0-15. He settles down when he wins the next three points, though, and holds with a coruscating forehand that Nadal can’t repel. “Much as I wanted Murray to win, it’s just as well Wawrinka is in this final,” says Greg Phillips. “No one was going to beat Nadal today being cagey and defensive. Wawrinka shouldn’t be able to hit him off the court, but Stan shouldn’t have been able to do it to Djokovic either. It’ll be fun watching him try.”
First set: Nadal* 1-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server): The French Open final begins with Rafael Nadal, headband in place, serving. Applause. Then silence. Bounce. Bounce. Bounce. Uhh! The sound that tells you we’re off. Uhh! 15-0. Uhh! 30-0. Uhh! 40-0. A rally ensues on the last point. Both men give it plenty, but it ends with Wawrinka netting a forehand on the run, confirming a comfortable hold for Nadal.
Tok! Tok! Tok! They’ve posed for photographs, done the toss and wished each other luck. It’s time to knock up. Wawrinka dashes and slides back to the baseline. He looks full on energy.
Updated
Here they come! As the lower ranked player, Rafa Nadal is the first to emerge, but naturally he gets a huge ovation from the crowd. Stan Wawrinka’s favourite round these parts too, though, and he’s also afforded a generous reception. The sun’s beating down in Paris. The stage is set. It’s almost time.
Stan Wawrinka’s coach, Magnus Norman, was with Robin Soderling when the Swede - remember him? - beat Nadal in the quarters here in 2009. Might he have another plan to topple Nadal today? Perhaps. But Uncle Toni, who’s in his nephew’s corner for one last French Open, probably has a few tricks up his sleeve as well. What a story it would be for Nadal to complete La Decima before his uncle leaves his coaching team after all these years.
“I think it would be really interesting if Stan Wawrinka were to defeat Rafa Nadal in the French Open final,” says Upender Gowal. “Not only because of the gigantic enormity of that task, but also because of the questions surrounding Stan Wawrinka’s ranking in pantheon of tennis greats. If Stan were to win his 4th major today, would that mean that he’s greater than Andy Murray? 4 grand slams beat 3 grand slams right? Or would the fact that Murray has reached 7 more grand slam finals, won 13 more Masters titles and the fact that he has been no 1 in the world still put him up as the greater player?”
And then they’re even when Murray wins Wimbledon next month*?
*Roger Federer is going to win Wimbledon.
Pre-match reading.
Wawrinka hit 87 winners against Murray, though, and made 77 unforced errors. He won’t die wondering and that’s what makes him so dangerous. I bet that Nadal would have preferred to play Murray given that the world No1’s less likely to suddenly erupt out of nowhere.
Nadal’s career record on clay? 388-35. Roland Garros? 78-2.
Rafa Nadal is 26-0 against players with one-handed backhands at Roland Garros. So will he use topspun serves to the Wawrinka backhand and hope to get easy points that way? Maybe. But if anyone can handle it, it’s Wawrinka. Then again, Nadal walloped him in straight sets here in 2013.
Eurosport are showing the end of Wawrinka’s win over Murray. Still terrifying.
Preamble
Rafael Nadal has never lost a French Open final. Stan Wawrinka has never lost a grand slam final. Something’s got to give.
The problem for Wawrinka is that Nadal isn’t likely to give him much for free. Not now. Not with the stakes this high. Not with La Decima in sight. A year since the king of clay’s hopes of regaining his Roland Garros crown were dashed by the wrist injury that cut short his season and sparked suggestions that retirement was looming large for a player who was increasingly looking like yesterday’s man, he’s back in familiar territory, although there must have been times when even someone of Nadal’s ferocious resilience must have wondered if he’d ever be in this position again.
Nadal, after all, has been stuck on nine French Open titles since 2014. And the cause for gloominess wasn’t just that injury curtailed him in 2016, it was also the quarter-final drubbing he took from Novak Djokovic in 2015, when the fight seemed to drain out of him on the way to a dispiriting 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 defeat. His time looked up. His closest rivals were peeling away from him. Impetuous youngsters were coming along with alarming speed. He missed tournaments. Players like Dustin Brown, Fernando Verdasco and Lucas Pouille embarrassed him in Melbourne and New York - imagine that happening to Nadal in his peak. He’d have shot you his dirtiest look for even daring to think it possible.
That was the reality, though, and the obituaries were being prepared. Only, sometimes it doesn’t take too long for even the grimmest of outlooks to adopt a brighter hue in tennis. Champions like Nadal don’t know how to lie down and accept their fate. It isn’t in their nature. Nadal being, well, Nadal, he began 2017 with a stirring run to the Australian Open final. There he came up against a similarly rejuvenated Roger Federer and lost a magnificent match in five sets, but he couldn’t be too disappointed - he was back at the top of his game and it was just the start, the perfect preparation for the clay season.
Quite simply, he’s been awesome on the European red dirt. After picking up his 10th titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona and winning in Madrid, he has been brilliantly relentless in Paris. He has reached the final Sunday in a minute over ten hours, he’s yet to come close to dropping a set and has only been taken past the two-hour mark in one of his matches - and that was when he destroyed Dominic Thiem, the sixth seed and conqueror of Djokovic, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 in the second semi-final on Friday. He’s ripping that forehand, he’s moving smoothly and he’s got that terrifying glint in his eye. Can he be stopped?
Well, maybe. Because before we rush to coronate Nadal, just remember that there’s someone on the other side of the net who has a habit of tearing up scripts. Wawrinka, who crushed Djokovic in the 2015 final, is the ultimate big-match player, as he proved in his exhilarating five-set victory over Andy Murray, who was powerless to resist the world No3’s explosive hitting in the fifth set. If Wawrinka goes into Stanimal mode again and starts hitting the ball like it’s just knocked his pint over, it might be too much even for Nadal to handle. The Swiss, nicknamed Diesel by Federer, is 3-0 in grand slam finals and he tends to save his best for last in majors. He trails Nadal 15-3 in their head-to-head, but then his first ever win over the Spaniard came in the Australian Open final in 2014. He’s beaten Djokovic in two finals and he’s no respecter of fairytale endings. It won’t be a surprise if Wawrinka wins this.
All the same, it’s difficult not to suspect that Nadal will be too strong, too relentless, too good on clay. It’s also difficult not to suspect that this match is going to be full of drama whatever happens. Whatever the outcome, it’s all set up for a perfect finale. But we don’t know how it’s going to end yet. Only one way to find out.
Play begins at 2pm BST and 3pm in Paris.
Updated
