A year after probably the lowest point of his career, Rafael Nadal sat in the same news conference seat on Sunday and described his 10th French Open title as one of his most special. A crushing 6-2 6-3 6-1 victory over Stan Wawrinka on Court Philippe Chatrier made the 31-year-old Spaniard the most successful player at a single slam in the professional era. Nadal triumphed 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to become the first man in history to win the same major 10 times.
A year after probably the lowest point of his career, Rafael Nadal sat in the same news conference seat on Sunday and described his 10th French Open title as one of his most special. A crushing 6-2 6-3 6-1 victory over Stan Wawrinka on Court Philippe Chatrier made the 31-year-old Spaniard the most successful player at a single slam in the professional era. Nadal triumphed 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to become the first man in history to win the same major 10 times.
Rafael Nadal admits he doubted he'd ever win another Grand Slam title after a three-year drought at the majors and an ongoing battle with injuries and poor form. His collection of Slams now stands just three behind great rival Roger Federer, a staggering statistic coming just a year after he quit Roland Garros with a wrist injury. His last Grand Slam title before this year's Roland Garros came in Paris in 2014 and he admitted that there were doubts over whether or not he'd recover his former powers. Against world number three Wawrinka, his record is now 16 wins and three losses.
(With agency inputs)
1. Vamos Rafael Nadal!
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Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka during the mens final tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017.
Image courtesy: AFP
2. Wawrinka breaks his racket in frustration
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Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka breaks his racket during the mens final tennis match against Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open.
Image courtesy: AFP
3. Nicole Kidman and Tony Estanguet
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US actress Nicole Kidman and Tony Estanguet, French slalom canoeist and triple Olympic champion, present the trophy prior to the mens final match between Stan Wawrinka and Spains Rafael Nadal at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France.
Image courtesy: PTI
4. Nadal celebrates after winning the final
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Tennis French Open Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 11, 2017 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the final against Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka.
Image courtesy: Reuters
5. The winning moment
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This combination photo shows Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrating after defeating Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka during the mens final tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 11, 2017 in Paris. Rafael Nadal coasted to a record 10th French Open title on Sunday, demolishing Stan Wawrinka in a brutally one-sided final which also earned the Spaniard a 15th Grand Slam crown.
Image courtesy: AFP
6. Meeting former King of Spain
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Spain's Rafael Nadal (bottom) shakes hands with Juan Carlos (top C), former King of Spain, after winning the mens final tennis match against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open.
Image courtesy: AFP
7. Still sinking in
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Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka during the mens final tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open.
Image courtesy: AFP
8. Bravo Rafa!
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People wave a giant flag after Spain's Rafael Nadal won a record 10th French Open title against Stan Wawrinka in their final on June 11 June, 2017 in Paris.
Image courtesy: AFP
9. Winner and runner-up
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Spain's Rafael Nadal and Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka (R) pose with their trophy after the mens final tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 11, 2017 in Paris. Rafael Nadal coasted to a record 10th French Open title on Sunday, demolishing Stan Wawrinka in a brutally one-sided final which also earned the Spaniard a 15th Grand Slam crown.
Image courtesy: AFP
10. Oh, sweet victory!
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Spain's Rafael Nadal poses with the trophy after winning the mens final tennis match against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 11, 2017 in Paris.
Image courtesy: AFP
11. Nadal with coach and uncle Toni Nadal
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Spain's Rafael Nadal (R) poses with his trophy with his uncle and former Spanish tennis player Toni Nadal after winning the mens final tennis match against Switzerlands Stanislas Wawrinka at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open.
Image courtesy: AFP
12. Inspiring Gen Next
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Spain's Rafael Nadal (C) poses with ball girls and boys after winning the mens final tennis match against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 11, 2017 in Paris.
Image courtesy: AFP
13. La Decima!
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A combination of pictures shows Spain's Rafael Nadal posing with the Muskeeters trophy during his ten victories in the mens French Tennis Open at the Roland Garros stadium. (From top L to bottom R) Nadal poses with his trophy on June 5, 2005; on June 11, 2006; on June 10, 2007; on June 8, 2008; on June 6, 2010; on June 5, 2011; on June 11, 2012; on June 9, 2013; on June 8, 2014 and on June 11, 2017.Rafael Nadal won a record 10th French Open title against Stan Wawrinka in their final on June 11 June, 2017.
Image courtesy: AFP
