Having won his seventh French Open title in eight years, Rafael Nadal has stregthened his credentials as the ultimate king of clay. In a rain delayed final, the Spaniard defeated world number 1, Novak Djokovic, 6-4,6-3,2-6,7-5, denying thus the Serb a career Grand Slam.
Nadal's astonishing 52-1 match record at Roland Garros is probably one of the most amazing achievement in tennis history. Check out photographs below and relive his amazing journey.
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| ROLAND GARROS 2005: Shortly after celebrating his 19th birthday, Rafael Nadal defeated Argentinean Mariano Puerta 6-7,6-3,6-1,7-5 to clinch his first Grand Slam title. |
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| ROLAND GARROS 2006: Nadal continued his dominance over the reigning world number 1, Roger Federer, by defeating the Swiss 1-6,6-1,6-4,7-6 to successfully defend his title. |
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| ROLAND GARROS 2007: The Spaniard once more got the better of Federer, claiming his third successful Parisian trophy with a 6-3,4-6,6-3,6-4 win in the final. |
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| ROLAND GARROS 2008: Nadal registered probably the most straight forward victory over Federer, beating the Swiss 6-3,6-1,6-0 to make it four in a row in Paris. |
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| ROLAND GARROS 2010: After the shock exit the year before, Rafa came back to avenge his loss against Robin Soderling, beating the Sweden 6-4,6-2,6-4 in the final showdown to regain his crown. |
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| ROLAND GARROS 2011: Federer proved he just cannot beat Nadal at the French Open, losing another final to the Spaniard, 7-5,7-6,5-7,6-1. |
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| ROLAND GARROS 2012: Nadal ended a three Grand Slam final losing streak to Djokovic, denying the Serb a career Slam with a 6-4,6-3,2-6,7-5 victory. |
photos (top-down / left-right):
Reuters, GETTY IMAGES (x14)
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