"Rafael XIV, the Sun King": The press comments on Nadal's 14th French Open victory

Enlarge image

Rafael Nadal at the final in Paris

Photo:

MARTIN DIVISEK v EPA

Rafael Nadal has done it again: For the 14th time, the Spaniard wins the French Open on the sand of Roland Garros, it's his 22nd Grand Slam title overall.

Final opponent Casper Ruud from Norway lost in just three sets, the last eleven games all went to Nadal.

There is enthusiastic praise from Spain for this impressive performance - internationally there is concern about Nadal's injured foot.

The press reviews:

Spain:

»Marca«

: »There is only one thing that never changes: Rafa always wins.

A god on earth.

Nadal's eternal reign at Roland Garros goes so far that two kings have seen him triumph in Paris: Juan Carlos I and Felipe VI.

Ruud was completely overwhelmed, Paris still speaks Spanish.«

»AS«:

»Rafael XIV, the Sun King.

Long live Nadal.

Nadal is the lord and master of Roland Garros.

Spain owes a lot to Nadal.

What madness!

It was a one-sided final in which Casper Ruud didn't stand a chance.

There is a mystique surrounding Nadal in Paris – there is a magic that makes him succeed in practically everything.«

»Historical, unique, incomparable – an extraterrestrial«

»Sport«:

»Nadal – an alien on earth.

His results are from another planet, Nadal is the clay court king.

He extends his reign in Roland Garros with his 14th crown.

The Mallorcan took Ruud apart in a turbo final.

The same story has been repeated almost every year since 2005.«

»El Mundo Deportivo«

: »22 Grand Slams, 14 Roland Garros.

Nadal knocks out Ruud and is on his way to becoming the best tennis player in history.

Historical, unique, incomparable - an extraterrestrial.

Nadal played cat and mouse with Casper Ruud.

He's won 112 games out of 115 at Roland Garros, what a giant."

»El País«

: »Nadal, God on earth.

Since Nadal has been playing, Roland Garros has actually been his property.

He only missed four out of a possible 18 titles.

With his 14th triumph at Roland Garros, Nadal has once again demonstrated his brutal superiority on clay, his favorite surface.

It's an astounding feat unparalleled in the history of the sport."

Switzerland:

»Blick«:

»Rafael Nadal triumphed in Paris with a stunned foot.

An injection made it possible: Rafael Nadal remains the measure of all things on sand.

Even a numb foot couldn't keep the Spaniard from his 14th French Open victory."

»Aargauer Zeitung«:

»Rafael Nadal experiences a fairy tale in his nightmare of pain – the next few days will decide his fate.

He played the French Open with a stunned foot - and won it for the 14th time.

A price that Rafael Nadal is no longer willing to pay.

He has days of truth ahead of him.”

England:

»Times«:

»In the 131-year history of the French Open, this respected tournament has never experienced such a milestone.

In the most grueling Grand Slam of all, Rafael Nadal overcame doubts about his physical well-being to become the oldest male champion at the age of 36."

»Sun«:

»There are few certainties in life these days – except maybe when it comes to Rafael Nadal swinging a tennis racket at the French Open.

For the 14th time in 18 attempts, the relentless Spaniard is the clay court king of Roland Garros.«

cev/ara/dpa/sid