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Rafael Nadal won his 9th French Open title defeating Novak Djokovic, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4. It is his fifth straight title on the red clay at Roland Garros, he is after all known as the “King of Clay”. He has appeared somewhat vulnerable so far this clay court season on occasion and Novak seemed primed to finally win his first French Open and complete the much coveted career Grand Slam for himself. It was not to be. It has been a strange and unpredictable French Open this year and I am worn out from it as much as the players! It is a grinding and grueling event, and watching it, the strange hours and all the upsets (not to mention Federer losing to Gulbis in the fourth round), well, congrats to Rafa but bring on the grass court season!
Djokovic started the match like gangbusters, breaking Rafa in the first set and winning 6-3. The second set was up and down for both, with Rafa finally winning 7-5 and avoiding a tie break set. The third set was all Nadal as he lifted his game and Nole seemed to suffer from health issues that had been mentioned as a factor in his semifinal four set win over Gulbis. He threw up after the third set as he left the court to head to his chair. So with a sour stomach he headed out for the fourth set. Then in the fourth set, Nadal seemed to tweak his back which has been a problem for him and one thought, could Nole perhaps steal this set and force a fifth? The answer was NO…Rafa would hoist the trophy and do his familiar celebration, taking a bite out of the trophy that has come to be known as his for most of the past decade. With the victory, Rafa will remain at #1 in tomorrow’s rankings. He is expected to head to Halle, Germany where he will join Roger Federer in the grass court tournament held there that is a tune up to Wimbledon. No word on if the back is an issue and he will choose to sit out. Djokovic, still receiving ice treatments on his forearm and wrist will rest for two weeks prior to Wimbledon. This victory ties Rafa with Pete Sampras for Grand Slam titles (14) and moves him to within three of Roger Federer (17). I hope he does not catch Federer (of course we know I feel that way!) and I also hope Federer can pull some magic from a bottle and win another Slam before he leaves us with only memories of the most beautiful tennis player ever (to quote John McEnroe, not just me)! All in all, quite an accomplishment for Nadal and now I am happy to see tennis move to another surface! (also, I feel compelled to note: Nadal’s fifth consecutive French Open; Federer won five consecutive Wimbledon titles and five consecutive US Open titles! Hey, I had to!)
US Open Golf Championship gets underway later next week from Pinehurst, and Tiger Woods will not be there. BUMMER! Expect some great golf but still, no Tiger, just not quite the same.
Tonight, the Spurs host the Heat for game two of the NBA finals. I do expect they will have that air conditioning fixed in the AT&T Center!! GO SPURS! (Also, Jimmy Kimmel pregame show will air before the broadcast at 7:00 pm EST)
P.S. LA Kings did beat the NY Rangers last night in double OT, 5-4 (Stanley Cup finals!)
