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Nadal Sets Record by Winning 12th French Open

Paris, France —(Map)

On June 9, Rafael Nadal became the first person to win 12 titles at the same Grand Slam tennis contest by beating Dominic Thiem in the French Open.

In tennis, there are many competitions, but there are four “major” tournaments (contests) that are considered the most important. They are called Grand Slam tournaments because winning all four major contests in one year is called a Grand Slam.

Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. John Isner (USA) Roland Garros 2011 - mardi 24 mai - 1er tour - Court Philippe Chatrier
There are four “major” tennis tournaments called Grand Slam tournaments. The French Open, held at Roland Garros, is the only major tournament played on clay courts. Above, Rafael Nadal is shown playing at Roland Garros in 2011.
[CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)

The Australian Open and the US Open are played on hard courts. Wimbledon, is played on grass. The French Open, held at Roland Garros, is the only major tournament played on clay courts. Nadal is sometimes called the “King of Clay” because he’s so hard to beat on clay courts.

On Sunday, Nadal made history by winning the French Open for the 12th time. The only other person who has come close to this record is Australian Margaret Court, the tennis superstar of the 1960s and 1970s. She won the Australian Open 11 times.

French Open, June 2, 2014, Raphaël Nadal on the Philippe Chatrier court
On Sunday, Nadal made history by winning the French Open for the 12th time. Nadal is sometimes called the “King of Clay” because he’s so hard to beat on clay courts. Above, Nadal is shown playing the French Open in 2014.
(Source: François GOGLINS [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)

In all, Nadal has won 18 Grand Slam contests. This puts him two behind the record set by Roger Federer. Nadal defeated Federer in the semifinals last Friday on his way to the finals.

In the final, Nadal faced 25-year-old Austrian Dominic Thiem. Nadal took the first set 6-3, but Thiem managed to push back and win the second set 5-7. After that, though, Nadal was almost unstoppable, taking the last two sets 6-1, 6-1.

Spanish Rafael Nadal at 2014 French Open.
In the final, Nadal faced 25-year-old Austrian Dominic Thiem. Though Thiem was a tough opponent, Nadal won in four sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. The picture shows Nadal at the 2014 French Open.
(Source: Fred Romero [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)

This is the second year the two men have faced each other in the French Open final. Nadal won in three sets last year.

Both men congratulated each other after the contest. Nadal said that Thiem deserved to win the tournament as well.

Austrian professional tennis player Dominic Thiem
This is the second year that Nadal and Dominic Thiem (above) have faced each other in the French Open final. Nadal won in three sets last year. Both men congratulated each other after the contest. Nadal said that Thiem deserved to win the tournament as well.
(Source: si.robi [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)

Thiem described the 33-year-old Spaniard as an “amazing champion”. “To win 12 times, it’s unreal,” he said.

Nadal won his first French Open as a 19-year-old in 2005, by beating Roger Federer. He was reminded of that on Sunday. “It’s a dream to win again, an incredible moment,” Nadal said. “When I first played here in 2005, I never thought I would still be playing here in 2019. It’s very special for me.”

Rafael Nadal with cup at Roland Garros 2006
Nadal said, “It’s a dream to win again, an incredible moment. When I first played here in 2005, I never thought I would still be playing here in 2019. It’s very special for me.” Nadal has had 93 wins and only 2 losses at Roland Garros. He’s shown above after winning the French Open in 2006.
(Source: Sylvain Weber [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
 

Ashleigh Barty Wins First Grand Slam Tournament

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty won the Women’s French Open. Barty defeated Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, in two sets, 6-1, 6-3. This was the first Grand Slam victory for Barty. In fact, this was the first time either woman had played in a final or semifinal major singles championship.

Ash Barty v Karolina Muchova. Day 5 of US Open 2018.
Australia’s Ashleigh Barty won the Women’s French Open, defeating Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, in two sets, 6-1, 6-3. This was Barty’s first Grand Slam victory. Barty is shown here playing in last year’s US Open.
(Source: Carine06 [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)

Barty took an unusual path to victory. She started playing tennis as a professional when she was 14. By 18, she needed a break. “For me, I needed time to step away, to live a normal life, because this tennis life certainly isn’t normal,” she said.

Barty stopped playing tennis and joined a professional cricket team – a sport she hadn’t played before. Two years later, she took up tennis again.

The break seems to have been just what she needed.

😕

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