As an Anesthesiologist, I was wondering why Rafa Nadal did not just get a block to the area if he was in that much pain. Furthermore, as I watched him play during the fortnight I thought, perhaps he had, because I never saw any discomfort during his matches. His movement was never compromised. The more I thought about it, I realized perhaps that’s why his doctor was with him.

Alexander Zverev Had Nadal Up Against The Ropes

I am convinced that if [3] Alexander Zverev had won the second set in the tiebreak that the Spaniard would not be in the final today. That is how good the German was playing, and Nadal was struggling to find his game. Although he stole the first set from Zverev, the German was fighting back. It’s so unfortunate that Zverev tore some ligaments in his ankle, because he had the weapons to upset the king of clay. I am a huge fan of the Spaniard, but I give credit where credit is due.

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Rafa Nadal’s Determination To Win Was Evident

As fans we take it for granted what [5] Rafael Nadal does on clay; however, when you watch his performance against [1] Novak Djokovic, you have to be impressed. It was some of the highest quality tennis I have seen from Nadal, and I have watched just about every professional match he has played. There was clarity in his eyes and determination to bring his best game. He hit some winners perhaps as hard as he does in practice and that surprised the Serb.

Nadal Was Relentless In His Defeat Of Ruud

Nadal started quickly, but it seemed that [8] Casper Ruud had settled his nerves when he broke back. That was a clue that the Spaniard was also feeling nervous; however, Nadal quickly regained his composure. He broke back immediately. The Spaniard stumbled a little in the second set and for a brief moment Ruud had a lead in the second set.

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Nadal Squashed Any Plans Ruud Had For An Upset

However, once Nadal broke back to get back on serve in the second set, he was unstoppable. Ruud became a spectator to his own defeat. Nothing he did in the third set could threaten his opponent. In fact, he lost the last eleven games of the match. At thirty-six-years-old, Nadal becomes the oldest French Open champion with his 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 defeat of the Norwegian. Nadal owns fourteen French Open titles, and he leads with twenty-two major titles [two more than either Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic].