Nadal makes history with 11th French Open triumph

Rafael Nadal has beaten Dominic Thiem in the final of the 2018 French Open – his 11th triumph at the Roland Garros showpiece and a 17th Grand Slam title.

He became just the second player to win 11 times at the same major, following Margaret Court’s efforts at the Australian Open, but he is the first to achieve the feat entirely in the Open Era.

The world number one won 6-4 6-3 6-2 to earn the victory, which brings him only three Grand Slams adrift of Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record.

The victory also means the past six Grand Slam titles have been won by either Nadal or Federer.

“It’s a dream to win 11 times,” Nadal said after lifting the trophy.

“It was important to play the way I did. It was a tough moment when I got cramp. He is a player who pushes you to the limit.”

Read Also: Grand Slam win a dream come true – Simona Halep

Thiem told Nadal on court afterwards: “What you have done – to win this tournament 11 times – is one of the greatest things in sport.

“I hope I soon get another chance here – maybe against you. But it has still been a great two weeks for me here.”

Below are Nadal’s 11 final wins at the Roland Garros showpiece:

2005 – beat Mariano Puerta (Argentina) 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-1 7-5
2006 – beat Roger Federer (Switzerland) 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-4)
2007 – beat Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4
2008 – beat Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-1 6-3 6-0
2010 – beat Robin Soderling (Sweden) 6-4 6-2 6-4
2011 – beat Roger Federer (Switzerland) 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-1
2012 – beat Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 6-4 6-3 2-6 7-5
2013 – beat David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3 6-2 6-3
2014 – beat Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-4
2017 – beat Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) 6-2 6-3 6-1
2018 – beat Dominic Thiem (Austria) 6-4 6-3 6-2

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