It had been a strange day at Roland Garros. Drizzle fell steadily from a dove-grey Parisian sky. Protesters interrupted play and even startled Nadal briefly out of his usual meditative focus. David Ferrer, the sacrificial victim, was almost obsequious in his determination not to spoil the party.
Ultimately, though, only one thing mattered. Nadal won his eighth French Open title and his 12th grand slam in all, moving to equal third in the all-time standings alongside Roy Emerson.
Only Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, the man Nadal has tormented for much of the past decade, remain ahead of him.
However, with his triumph on Sunday Nadal has become the first man since the First World War to win the same grand slam title eight times.
“I never like to compare years,” Nadal said after his 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 victory. “But it’s true that this year means something very special for me. Five months ago, nobody on my team dreamed about a comeback like this.”
