Roy Emerson’s record for most Grand Slam titles won by a male singles player stood for a good 33 years. On the Parisian clay on Sunday, Rafael Nadal did just that, capturing his 12th French Open and 18th Major overall. The 33-year-old ended 2018 under the cloud of injury and had to endure a deflating loss to Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open this January. In the lead-up to the French Open, he was on the cusp of not making a final on his beloved clay for the first time since 2004, until he put together a winning streak at the Italian Open. But once in Paris, he was a transformed man and turned in what could arguably be his most complete performance.

Source: The Hindu June 10, 2019 18:32 UTC