At Roland-Garros,
A few minutes after the 13th coronation of Nadal Porte d'Auteuil, Novak Djokovic presented himself to the press.
He only noticed the damage.
His opponent was much stronger than him this Sunday.
And yet, the final was played under the roof of Philippe-Chatrier, deployed due to the rainy conditions.
This should be an asset for Djokovic, the king of the indoor… But the incredible Nadal was able to adapt to the specific conditions and thwarted the Serbian machine.
"I thought these conditions would be more favorable to me," confirmed the world number one.
I felt good during the tournament, I had played well in Rome.
But Rafa always proves that we were wrong.
He passed me in the game, he didn't miss a thing, he was on every ball and played wonderfully well tactically.
His level was absolutely phenomenal.
He played a perfect match, especially in the first two sets.
In the third set, I managed to get back into the game a bit.
I started to find my rhythm on the court.
There were a few tight games.
I had my chances which I failed to grab, and then he ended up concluding the final in three sets.
I found a better player than me today on the court. ”
“There's no way to stop it. His exploits, and especially here, are absolutely incredible ”
Novak Djokovic
This is the third time he has dominated Djokovic in a final at Roland Garros, after 2012 and 2014. The world number one suffers in passing his seventh defeat in eight matches against his rival on Parisian clay.
The most scathing.
"He is the owner of the premises," Djokovic said.
Confirmation and admission of helplessness by the one who had won all his matches in 2020 with his racket in hand, except for his exclusion in the round of 16 of the US Open.
“There's no way to stop it.
His exploits, and especially here, are absolutely incredible.
He's only lost here twice in his entire career, it's amazing.
There isn't much to say, he deserves all the superlatives one could use. "
52 unforced errors for Djokovic
The 56th blockbuster showdown didn't really deliver on its promises.
The fault of the Spaniard who suffocated an unrecognizable Djokovic (52 unforced errors for the Serbian, 14 for his rival).
Aggressive, striking backhand and cutting forehand, Nadal started his game with authority.
Exceptional in defense, not at all disturbed by the many depreciations of the Serbian, the Spaniard completely disturbed the world number one who even cashed a bubble in the first set.
A first for him in 28 Grand Slam finals.
“Usually, when I hit the ball after two or three quick rallies from the baseline, whether it's forehand or backhand, for 9 out of 10 players I manage to make a winning shot and get the point. .
With him, that was not the case. "
The master of the house, now rich with 20 Grand Slam titles (tied with Roger Federer) deprives his rival of an 18th title in Major.
The GOAT race is on again ...
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