From the belligerent prodigy, a thorn in the side of Roger Federer and his fans, Nadal evolved into a larger-than-life figure terrorising tennis players on the red dirt. He was the phantom and the French Open his opera. Nadal embodies the identity of French Open and clay tennis, and his latest triumph should be celebrated as such. Someone should upload the highlights of Sunday’s final against Thiem, set to Johnny Cash’s rendition of Hurt. And you could have it all/ My empire of dirt/I will let you down/I will make you hurt.

Source: Indian Express June 10, 2019 18:56 UTC