Cameron: Nadal a magician at Roland Garros

Spain's Rafael Nadal bites the trophy after winning against compatriot David Ferrer in three sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-3, in the final of the French Open tennis tournament, at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Sunday June 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Eight.

That’s the magic number. It must be magic, right?

To win eight Grand Slam titles at the same event seems impossible. But on Sunday at Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal was a magician.

 

 

Let’s state the obvious: to win eight French Open titles in nine years is an incredible feat and one that will likely never be matched.

 

The tennis season consists of eleven grueling months with little rest. Each week players travel from tournament to tournament, city to city, and continent to continent. And because it’s an individual sport, they can’t slip up. One bad day and you’re gone.

For nine years, Nadal has only slipped up once in Paris, back in 2009 when Robin Soderling upset him in the fourth round.

And while Nadal has continued to perform at the French Open, his body hasn’t been of much help.

In February, Nadal returned from a seven-month lay off due to a lingering knee injury. Everyone, including Nadal himself, was concerned about whether or not he’d ever be his old, dominant self.

Since Nadal has been back, he’s reached the final in all nine tournaments that he’s played in, and he’s won seven. Looks like he’s back.

The 27-years-old Nadal is a 12-time Grand Slam champion, and only trails Pete Sampras who has 14 and Roger Federer who has 17 titles for the most ever in ATP history.

Nadal isn’t 100 per cent healthy; he has admitted it. But Nadal is so good that he can dominate opponents when he’s not even at his best.

Can Nadal win nine, ten, and even eleven French Open titles? Sure, but only if his body holds up.

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