Rafa Nadal adds and continues. In the race to be the greatest in the history of tennis (and the sport) he distances Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in two Grand Slam titles. The Spaniard, with his victory at Roland Garros against Casper Ruud, already has 22 (two this year, with Australia). The Serbian and the Swiss are still stranded at 20.
1. Roland Garros 2005.
At the age of 19, Nadal conquered Paris for the first time. Surely no one imagined that he was going to surrender the Chatrier at his feet thirteen more times. The Spaniard defeated Argentine Mariano Puerta in four sets 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-1 and 7-5.
2. Roland Garros 2006.
Second consecutive year with final and title in Paris. It was no longer surprising, but at the age of 20 Nadal began to forge a legend after defeating Roger Federer for the first time in the final of a major: 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 and 7-6 (4)
3. Roland Garros 2007.
Again against Federer, Nadal won his third consecutive title in Paris in a final that was decided in four sets: 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 and 6-4.
4. Roland Garros 2008.
Nadal kept writing his name in history. Fourth victory in a row in Paris and the third in a row against what would be a great rival in the first season. He devastated him: 6-1, 6-3 and 6-0.
5.Wimbledon 2008.
The match of matches. Nadal got his first Wimbledon in what is considered by many to be the best match in history after defeating Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8) and 9-7 in a final to the memory. Rafa finally, to the third, conquered the grass of London.
6. Australian Open 2009.
Nadal’s first victory in Australia. He got the title after beating the Swiss once again in a final that was also decided in the fifth set: 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6 and 6-2.
7. Roland Garros 2010.
The first of the three greats that Nadal achieved in 2010, possibly the best year of his career. After falling in 2009 in the round of 16 against Robin Soderling, the Spaniard took revenge on the Swede and defeated him in the final the following year with forcefulness: 6-4, 6-2 and 6-4.
8.Wimbledon 2010.
Second and last trophy in London for Nadal so far, after defeating the Czech Thomas Berdych 6-3, 7-5 and 6-4.
9. US Open 2010.
In his first final in the US, Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic (6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2) and, at 24, became the youngest player to win the Big Four.
10. Roland Garros 2011.
The sixth Musketeers Cup for Nadal, the fourth against Roger Federer. The Spaniard defeated the Swiss in four sets: 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7 and 6-1.
11. Roland Garros 2012.
The seventh and, now, against Djokovic. Nadal defeated the Serb in the final after four sets 6-4, 6-3, 2-6 and 7-5.
12. Roland Garros 2013.
Spanish final in Paris between Nadal and David Ferrer. The one from Jávea completed a brilliant tournament, but could do little in the final against the one from Manacor: 6-3, 6-2 and 6-3.
13. US Open 2013.
Rafa’s second title in the United States after defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets: 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 and 6-1.
14. Roland Garros 2014.
Another one, the ninth. Rafa conquered Paris for another year after defeating Djokovic in four sets 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 and 6-4.
15. Roland Garros 2017.
Without a doubt, one of the most enjoyed by the Balearic Islands. Three years later, Nadal returned to conquer Paris. He did it after defeating the Swiss Wawrinka: 6-2, 6-3 and 6-1.
16. US Open 2017.
Four years later, Rafa Nadal won again in the United States. He did it after defeating surprising South African Kevin Anderson in three sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
17. Roland Garros 2018.
The eleventh. Nadal won once again in Paris. This time against a new opponent, Dominic Thiem, whom he clearly beat: 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. The Austrian was beginning to be pointed out as his heir.
18. Roland Garros 2019.
Nadal achieved his twelfth title in Paris. As in 2018, he defeated the Austrian Thiem in four sets: 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 and 6-1.
19. US Open 2019.
After almost five hours of play, the Spaniard beat Russian Daniil Medvedev in New York in an agonizing match that was decided in the fifth set: 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4.
20. Roland Garros 2020.
And the 13th success in Paris came, the first for Nadal since the start of the pandemic. In a final with a clear dominance, the Spaniard beat Djokovic 6-0, 6-2 and 7-5 in three sets (donut included) to continue making his legend even greater. The tournament was played in October, in the cold.
21. Australian Open 2022.
One of Nadal’s most emotional triumphs in his career: it is the one that made him the greatest ever in Grand Slams won. twenty-one! He defeated Daniil Medvedev in a match for tennis history: 2-6. 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4 and 7-5.
22. Roland Garros 2022.
Nadal arrived with problems in his left foot and the doubt of whether he was going to participate. But he defeated Auger-Aliassime, Djokovic, Zverev (retired when he won) and Ruud: 6-3, 6-3 and 6-0.