He also overtook his career-best 65-season win tally of 2023 with this win.
On the anniversary of the day he first walked on to the Roland Garros court 20 years ago, Rafael Nadal returned as a hero to be celebrated by a crowd that has always embraced him as one of their own.
Nadal eyes participation in Davis Cup Finals, 2020 Olympics
'He doesn't play T20 cricket. So, he will not be a part of the World Cup in 2026 in India. But when they go to 2027 in South Africa, he will be 40 years old. And that's a big number in sport.'
'Novak is playing here, so it's easier. But Andy and Roger coming meant a lot to me because they represent a very important part of my tennis career.'
Nadal took to X on Monday and expressed his gratitude to his long-time rivals for their presence at the tribute.
Novak Djokovic said he owes much of his success to his former rivals Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
Federer's pullout from Cincinnati hands number one spot to the Spaniard
Reader Jenkins sent us this picture from Chennai.
Reader Blisson Antony sent us a picture of Rafael Nadal.
Twice former champion Rafael Nadal will not play at this year's Wimbledon due to the wrist injury that forced the Spaniard out of the French Open, he said on Thursday.
Rafael Nadal looks unstoppable at the US Open.
Reader Mamta Nahar sent us these pictures from Chennai.
The World No 1, who extended his hardcourt winning streak to 26 matches, will play against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-finals.
Serbian tennis star Djokovic and wife Jelena Djokovic had announced that they will donate a million euros to help the people of Serbia combat the coronavirus. Nadal has expressed gratitude to Djokovic for contributing to his fund to aid the fight against the coronavirus.
A clash of nerves, brilliance, and next-gen firepower-Alcaraz showed once again he's made for the biggest stages. As the tennis world erupted, legends led the tributes.
A statue to honor British tennis great Andy Murray is in the works with installation at the All England Club in London planned for 2027.
Draper, 23, has won only two matches in three previous visits to Wimbledon. But the past 12 months has seen him evolve from a player regarded as physically fragile to a beast of the courts with the weapons to challenge the very best.
Jannik Sinner had to dig deep to get the better of Auger-Aliassime in the second semi-final.
Factbox on Rafael Nadal who won his ninth French Open title, and record fifth in succession, after beating Serbia's Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday.
Factbox on Rafael Nadal, who beat Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to win his 11th French Open title on Sunday:
'But it's not something that I really focus on. That's not really my goal.'
Defending champion Jannik Sinner swept past Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-0, 6-2 on Thursday to reach the Cincinnati Open semi-finals, the world number one extending his hardcourt winning streak to 25 matches.
Reader Geethan Rayan sent us this picture.
Play was suspended on court 1 before the 5th set at 10.18pm, 40 minutes before the 11 PM curfew, leaving Fritz and the crowd furious.
Nadal touch helps Paolini reach French Open third round
'Every time I step onto this court I'm playing for history.'
Rafael Nadal's historic seventh French Open crown was also his 50th ATP title. Only nine other players in the Open era preceded the Spaniard to the feat. Bikash Mohapatra looks at them.
Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal all took to social media to congratulate the Italian.
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal is recovering well from a left wrist injury and is on track to compete at the Olympics in Rio, his doctor said on Tuesday.
"When I was a kid, I just dreamt about playing at Roland Garros, at Wimbledon, professional tournaments. I am no different than many kids. My motivation and passion to try to reach that dream was the key to our success. "We worked hard with motivation. Kids can do it, if I did it," the Spanish legend said ahead of the opening IPTL match. "The only thing I can advise is that try to have right people around you, who know about the sport, who really support you and try to help you reach your best level, practice everyday with motivation and passion. "I had good people around me. Without (coach and uncle) Tony, nothing was possible. I am lucky that someone from my family is my coach forever. We work hard. "We work with passion, with love for what we are doing and just trying to do right things to improve every year. That's the only secret."
For the fifth straight year Melbourne brought agony for Nadal. Bikash Mohapatra summarises the Spaniard's no show Down Under.
The French Open said it would also honour its 2000 women's champion Mary Pierce as well as fellow local favourite Richard Gasquet, who will retire after the tournament this year.
Reader Chandra Kumar sent us a picture of Rafael Nadal from New York.
Reader Atul Deshpande sent us this picture from Doha.
The Hollywood siren and tennis ace strip to the bare essentials in a sizzling new advertising campaign for the Italian fashion house.
German Alexander Zverev says he cannot rest on his laurels after beating Novak Djokovic to win the Italian Open on Sunday and has set his sights on bigger titles in order to retain his place in the world's top 10.
'I don't understand Spain without Catalonia. I don't want to understand or see it'
Between them, Alcaraz and Sinner have shared the last six Grand Slam titles and their mesmeric clash last month in the longest-ever French Open final is being touted as one of the greatest of all time.
The Serbian's determined performance ensured he became only the second man to win a century of matches at the Parisian Grand Slam
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