Rafael Nadal at the French Open

Rafael Nadal at the French Open
Rafael Nadal holding the Coupe des Mousquetaires in 2006.
Full nameRafael "Rafa" Nadal Parera
Country (sports) Spain
Singles
Career record112–4[a]
Career titles14
Grand Slam singles results
French OpenW (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022)

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal's fourteen French Open titles hold numerous records in the all-time and Open Era categories for tennis, with his longtime rival, Roger Federer, calling it "one of the greatest achievements in sport".[1] He holds a 112–4 record at the event.

Nadal won the French Open on his tournament debut in 2005, aged 19. From 2005 to 2014, he won 9 out of 10 French Open titles, including five in a row from 2010 to 2014. From 2017 to 2022, he won a further 5 out of 6 French Open titles, claiming his last title at the age of 36. In all 14 finals, he was never taken to five sets.[2][3] Across all 116 of his matches, Nadal was taken to a fifth set on only three occasions; he never lost a fifth set at the tournament. He won the French Open without losing a set on a record four occasions: in 2008, 2010, 2017, and 2020. Nadal defeated the incumbent world No. 1 singles player during eight of his championship runs (four times each against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic). His 14 singles titles at the event are an Open Era record for any professional tennis tournament, and an all-time record for any Grand Slam tournament.

Nadal's longest match at the French Open in terms of games played, at 55 games played, was his 2013 semifinal match against Djokovic, which Nadal won by the score of 6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 6–7(3–7), 9–7, in 4 hours and 37 minutes. However, Nadal's longest match at the French Open in terms of match time was his third round match in 2006 against Paul-Henri Mathieu, which Nadal won 5–7, 6–4, 6–4, 6–4, in 4 hours and 53 minutes, despite only 42 games played. Mathieu won the first set in 93 minutes, and the three sets that Nadal won all lasted over an hour each.

Nadal only lost four matches at the French Open in total, to Robin Söderling in the fourth round in 2009, to Novak Djokovic in a quarterfinal in 2015 and a semifinal in 2021, and to Alexander Zverev in the first round in 2024. Nadal's win-loss record at the French Open once stood at 31–0, 70–1, 105–2 and 112–3, before finishing at 112–4. Nadal would only have 4 win streaks in his entire career at Roland Garros. He won his first 31 consecutive matches, and after losing 1 match in 2009, he would win the next 39 consecutive matches, and after losing 1 more match, Nadal would win the next 35 consecutive matches matches. After suffering his third loss, Nadal would win the next 7 consecutive matches in his 18th consecutive French Open. He would skip the 2023 tournament, and upon his only first round loss in the 2024 event, Nadal’s French Open career would come to an end.

Nadal missed playing at the French Open in three years during his career; in 2003 because of an elbow injury, in 2004 because of an ankle stress fracture injury, and in 2023 because of a psoas injury in his hip. In addition to this, Nadal was forced to pull out of the French Open in 2016 before his scheduled third round match against Marcel Granollers, due to a wrist injury that Nadal sustained during practice.

In 2021, a statue was erected at the site of the tournament, Stade Roland Garros, in honor of Nadal's achievements there.[4]

Overview

Finals: 14 (14 titles)

Result Year Title Surface Opponent Score
Win 2005 1 Clay Mariano Puerta 6–7(6–8), 6–3, 6–1, 7–5
Win 2006 2 Clay Roger Federer 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6(7–4)
Win 2007 3 Clay Roger Federer 6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
Win 2008 4 Clay Roger Federer 6–1, 6–3, 6–0
Win 2010 5 Clay Robin Söderling 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
Win 2011 6 Clay Roger Federer 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 5–7, 6–1
Win 2012 7 Clay Novak Djokovic 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5
Win 2013 8 Clay David Ferrer 6–3, 6–2, 6–3
Win 2014 9 Clay Novak Djokovic 3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 6–4
Win 2017 10 Clay Stan Wawrinka 6–2, 6–3, 6–1
Win 2018 11 Clay Dominic Thiem 6–4, 6–3, 6–2
Win 2019 12 Clay Dominic Thiem 6–3, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1
Win 2020 13 Clay Novak Djokovic 6–0, 6–2, 7–5
Win 2022 14 Clay Casper Ruud 6–3, 6–3, 6–0

All matches

Singles (112 wins, 4 losses)

Tournament Match Round Opponent (seed or key) Rank Result Score
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
26 May – 8 June 2003
Withdrew
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
24 May – 6 June 2004
Withdrew
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
23 May – 5 June 2005
1 / 116 1R Lars Burgsmüller 96
Win
6–1, 7–6(7–4), 6–1
2 / 116 2R Xavier Malisse 46
Win
6–2, 6–2, 6–4
3 / 116 3R Richard Gasquet 31
Win
6–4, 6–3, 6–2
4 / 116 4R Sébastien Grosjean 24
Win
6–4, 3–6, 6–0, 6–3
5 / 116 QF David Ferrer 21
Win
7–5, 6–2, 6–0
6 / 116 SF Roger Federer (1) 1 Win 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
7 / 116 W Mariano Puerta 37 Win (1) 6–7(6–8), 6–3, 6–1, 7–5
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
29 May – 11 June 2006
8 / 116 1R Robin Söderling 50
Win
6–2, 7–5, 6–1
9 / 116 2R Kevin Kim 116
Win
6–2, 6–1, 6–4
10 / 116 3R Paul-Henri Mathieu 32
Win
5–7, 6–4, 6–4, 6–4
11 / 116 4R Lleyton Hewitt 14
Win
6–2, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2
12 / 116 QF Novak Djokovic 63
Win
6–4, 6–4, RET
13 / 116 SF Ivan Ljubičić (4) 4 Win 6–4, 6–2, 7–6(9–7)
14 / 116 W Roger Federer (1) 1 Win (2) 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6(7–4)
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
27 May – 10 June 2007
15 / 116 1R Juan Martín del Potro 59
Win
7–5, 6–3, 6–2
16 / 116 2R Flavio Cipolla 227
Win
6–2, 6–1, 6–4
17 / 116 3R Albert Montañés 50
Win
6–1, 6–3, 6–2
18 / 116 4R Lleyton Hewitt 16
Win
6–3, 6–1, 7–6(7–5)
19 / 116 QF Carlos Moyá 26
Win
6–4, 6–3, 6–0
20 / 116 SF Novak Djokovic (6) 6
Win
7–5, 6–4, 6–2
21 / 116 W Roger Federer (1) 1 Win (3) 6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
25 May – 7 June 2008
22 / 116 1R Thomaz Bellucci 76
Win
7–5, 6–3, 6–1
23 / 116 2R Nicolas Devilder 148
Win
6–4, 6–0, 6–1
24 / 116 3R Jarkko Nieminen 26
Win
6–1, 6–3, 6–1
25 / 116 4R Fernando Verdasco 23
Win
6–1, 6–0, 6–2
26 / 116 QF Nicolás Almagro 20
Win
6–1, 6–1, 6–1
27 / 116 SF Novak Djokovic (3) 3
Win
6–4, 6–2, 7–6(7–3)
28 / 116 W Roger Federer (1) 1 Win (4) 6–1, 6–3, 6–0
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
25 May – 7 June 2009
29 / 116 1R Marcos Daniel (Q) 97 Win 7–5, 6–4, 6–3
30 / 116 2R Teymuraz Gabashvili 72 Win 6–1, 6–4, 6–2
31 / 116 3R Lleyton Hewitt 48 Win 6–1, 6–3, 6–1
32 / 116 4R Robin Söderling (23) 25 Loss 2–6, 7–6(7–2), 4–6, 6–7(2–7)
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
24 May – 6 June 2010
33 / 116 1R Gianni Mina (WC) 655 Win 6–2, 6–2, 6–2
34 / 116 2R Horacio Zeballos 44 Win 6–2, 6–2, 6–3
35 / 116 3R Lleyton Hewitt (28) 33 Win 6–3, 6–4, 6–3
36 / 116 4R Thomaz Bellucci (24) 29 Win 6–2, 7–5, 6–4
37 / 116 QF Nicolás Almagro (19) 21 Win 7–6(7–2), 7–6(7–3), 6–4
38 / 116 SF Jürgen Melzer (22) 27 Win 6–2, 6–3, 7–6(8–6)
39 / 116 W Robin Söderling (5) 7 Win (5) 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
23 May – 5 June 2011
40 / 116 1R John Isner 39 Win 6–4, 6–7(2–7), 6–7(2–7), 6–2, 6–4
41 / 116 2R Pablo Andújar 48 Win 7–5, 6–3, 7–6(7–4)
42 / 116 3R Antonio Veić (Q) 227 Win 6–1, 6–3, 6–0
43 / 116 4R Ivan Ljubičić 37 Win 7–5, 6–3, 6–3
44 / 116 QF Robin Söderling (5) 5 Win 6–4, 6–1, 7–6(7–3)
45 / 116 SF Andy Murray (4) 4 Win 6–4, 7–5, 6–4
46 / 116 W Roger Federer (3) 3 Win (6) 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 5–7, 6–1
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam
Clay, outdoor
28 May – 10 June 2012
47 / 116 1R Simone Bolelli 111
Win
6–2, 6–2, 6–1
48 / 116 2R Denis Istomin 43
Win
6–2, 6–2, 6–0
49 / 116 3R Eduardo Schwank 192
Win
6–1, 6–3, 6–4
50 / 116 4R Juan Mónaco 15
Win
6–2, 6–0, 6–0
51 / 116 QF Nicolás Almagro 13
Win
7–6(7–4), 6–2, 6–3
52 / 116 SF David Ferrer 6
Win
6–2, 6–2, 6–1
53 / 116 W Novak Djokovic (1) 1 Win (7) 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
May 26 – June 9, 2013
54 / 116
1R
Daniel Brands 59
Win
4–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–4, 6–3
55 / 116 2R Martin Kližan 35
Win
4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 6–3
56 / 116 3R Fabio Fognini 29
Win
7–6(7–5), 6–4, 6–4
57 / 116 4R Kei Nishikori 15
Win
6–4, 6–1, 6–3
58 / 116 QF Stanislas Wawrinka 10
Win
6–2, 6–3, 6–1
59 / 116 SF Novak Djokovic 1
Win
6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 6–7(3–7), 9–7
60 / 116 W David Ferrer (5) 5 Win (8) 6–3, 6–2, 6–3
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
25 May – 08 June 2014
61 / 116 1R Robby Ginepri (WC) 279 Win 6–0, 6–3, 6–0
62 / 116 2R Dominic Thiem 57 Win 6–2, 6–2, 6–3
63 / 116 3R Leonardo Mayer 65 Win 6–2, 7–5, 6–2
64 / 116 4R Dušan Lajović 83 Win 6–1, 6–2, 6–1
65 / 116 QF David Ferrer (5) 5 Win 4–6, 6–4, 6–0, 6–1
66 / 116 SF Andy Murray (7) 8 Win 6–3, 6–2, 6–1
67 / 116 W Novak Djokovic (2) 2 Win (9) 3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 6–4
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
24 May – 7 June 2015
68 / 116 1R Quentin Halys (WC) 304 Win 6–3, 6–3, 6–4
69 / 116 2R Nicolás Almagro 154 Win 6–4, 6–3, 6–1
70 / 116 3R Andrey Kuznetsov 120 Win 6–1, 6–3, 6–2
71 / 116 4R Jack Sock 37 Win 6–3, 6–1, 5–7, 6–2
72 / 116 QF Novak Djokovic (1) 1 Loss 5–7, 3–6, 1–6
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay,outdoor
22 May – 5 June 2016
73 / 116 1R Sam Groth 95 Win 6–1, 6–1, 6–1
74 / 116 2R Facundo Bagnis 99 Win 6–3, 6–0, 6–3
3R Marcel Granollers 56 Withdrew N/A
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
28 May – 11 June 2017
75 / 116 1R Benoît Paire 45 Win 6–1, 6–4, 6–1
76 / 116 2R Robin Haase 46 Win 6–1, 6–4, 6–3
77 / 116 3R Nikoloz Basilashvili 63 Win 6–0, 6–1, 6–0
78 / 116 4R Roberto Bautista Agut (17) 18 Win 6–1, 6–2, 6–2
79 / 116 QF Pablo Carreño Busta (20) 21 Win 6–2, 2–0 RET
80 / 116 SF Dominic Thiem (6) 7 Win 6–3, 6–4, 6–0
81 / 116 W Stan Wawrinka (3) 3 Win (10) 6–2, 6–3, 6–1
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
28 May – 10 June 2018
82 / 116 1R Simone Bolelli (LL) 130 Win 6–4, 6–3, 7–6(11–9)
83 / 116 2R Guido Pella 78 Win 6–2, 6–1, 6–1
84 / 116 3R Richard Gasquet (27) 32 Win 6–3, 6–2, 6–2
85 / 116 4R Maximilian Marterer 70 Win 6–3, 6–2, 7–6(7–4)
86 / 116 QF Diego Schwartzman (11) 12 Win 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–2
87 / 116 SF Juan Martín del Potro (5) 6 Win 6–4, 6–1, 6–2
88 / 116 W Dominic Thiem (7) 8 Win (11) 6–4, 6–3, 6–2
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
27 May – 9 June 2019
89 / 116 1R Yannick Hanfmann (Q) 180 Win 6–2, 6–1, 6–3
90 / 116 2R Yannick Maden (Q) 114 Win 6–1, 6–2, 6–4
91 / 116 3R David Goffin (27) 29 Win 6–1, 6–3, 4–6, 6–3
92 / 116 4R Juan Ignacio Londero 78 Win 6–2, 6–3, 6–3
93 / 116 QF Kei Nishikori (7) 7 Win 6–1, 6–1, 6–3
94 / 116 SF Roger Federer (3) 3 Win 6–3, 6–4, 6–2
95 / 116 W Dominic Thiem (4) 4 Win (12) 6–3, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
27 September – 11 October 2020
96 / 116 1R Egor Gerasimov 83 Win 6–4, 6–4, 6–2
97 / 116 2R Mackenzie McDonald (PR) 236 Win 6–1, 6–0, 6–3
98 / 116 3R Stefano Travaglia 74 Win 6–1, 6–4, 6–0
99 / 116 4R Sebastian Korda (Q) 213 Win 6–1, 6–1, 6–2
100 / 116 QF Jannik Sinner 75 Win 7–6(7–4), 6–4, 6–1
101 / 116 SF Diego Schwartzman (12) 14 Win 6–3, 6–3, 7–6(7–0)
102 / 116 W Novak Djokovic (1) 1 Win (13) 6–0, 6–2, 7–5
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
30 May – 13 June 2021
103 / 116 1R Alexei Popyrin 63 Win 6–3, 6–2, 7–6(7–3)
104 / 116 2R Richard Gasquet 53 Win 6–0, 7–5, 6–2
105 / 116 3R Cameron Norrie 45 Win 6–3, 6–3, 6–3
106 / 116 4R Jannik Sinner (18) 19 Win 7–5, 6–3, 6–0
107 / 116 QF Diego Schwartzman (10) 10 Win 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–0
108 / 116 SF Novak Djokovic (1) 1 Loss 6–3, 3–6, 6–7(4–7), 2–6
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
22 May – 5 June 2022
109 / 116 1R Jordan Thompson 82 Win 6–2, 6–2, 6–2
110 / 116 2R Corentin Moutet (WC) 139 Win 6–3, 6–1, 6–4
111 / 116 3R Botic van de Zandschulp (26) 29 Win 6–3, 6–2, 6–4
112 / 116 4R Félix Auger-Aliassime (9) 9 Win 3–6, 6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3
113 / 116 QF Novak Djokovic (1) 1 Win 6–2, 4–6, 6–2, 7–6(7–4)
114 / 116 SF Alexander Zverev (3) 3 Win 7–6(10–8), 6–6(0–0) RET
115 / 116 W Casper Ruud (8) 8 Win (14) 6–3, 6–3, 6–0
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
28 May – 11 June 2023
Withdrew
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam tournament
Clay, outdoor
26 May – 9 June 2024
116 / 116 1R Alexander Zverev (4) 4 Loss 3–6, 6–7(5–7), 3–6

Statistics

Rafael Nadal's head-to-head records at the French Open

Players in bold were ranked inside the top 10 at the time of at least one meeting.

Top 10 wins

Category
Grand Slam (32)
Wins by surface
Clay (32)
Wins by setting
Outdoor (32)
# Player Rank Event Surface Rd Score RNR
1/32. Roger Federer 1 2005 French Open Clay SF 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 5
2/32. Ivan Ljubičić 4 2006 French Open Clay SF 6–4, 6–2, 7–6(9–7) 2
3/32. Roger Federer 1 2006 French Open Clay F 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6(7–4) 2
4/32. Novak Djokovic 6 2007 French Open Clay SF 7–5, 6–4, 6–2 2
5/32. Roger Federer 1 2007 French Open Clay F 6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 2
6/32. Novak Djokovic 3 2008 French Open Clay SF 6–4, 6–2, 7–67–3) 2
7/32. Roger Federer 1 2008 French Open Clay F 6–1, 6–3, 6–0 2
8/32. Robin Söderling 7 2010 French Open Clay F 6–4, 6–2, 6–4 2
9/32. Robin Söderling 5 2011 French Open Clay QF 6–4, 6–1, 7–6(7–3) 1
10/32. Andy Murray 4 2011 French Open Clay SF 6–4, 7–5, 6–4 1
11/32. Roger Federer 3 2011 French Open Clay F 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 5–7, 6–1 1
12/32. David Ferrer 6 2012 French Open Clay SF 6–2, 6–2, 6–1 2
13/32. Novak Djokovic 1 2012 French Open Clay F 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5 2
14/32. Stan Wawrinka 10 2013 French Open Clay QF 6–2, 6–3, 6–1 4
15/32. Novak Djokovic 1 2013 French Open Clay SF 6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 6–7(3–7), 9–7 4
16/32. David Ferrer 5 2013 French Open Clay F 6–3, 6–2, 6–3 4
17/32. David Ferrer 5 2014 French Open Clay QF 4–6, 6–4, 6–0, 6–1 1
18/32. Andy Murray 8 2014 French Open Clay SF 6–3, 6–2, 6–1 1
19/32. Novak Djokovic 2 2014 French Open Clay F 3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 6–4 1
20/32. Dominic Thiem 7 2017 French Open Clay SF 6–3, 6–4, 6–0 4
21/32. Stan Wawrinka 3 2017 French Open Clay F 6–2, 6–3, 6–1 4
22/32. Juan Martín del Potro 6 2018 French Open Clay SF 6–4, 6–1, 6–2 1
23/32. Dominic Thiem 8 2018 French Open Clay F 6–4, 6–3, 6–2 1
24/32. Kei Nishikori 7 2019 French Open Clay QF 6–1, 6–1, 6–3 2
25/32. Roger Federer 3 2019 French Open Clay SF 6–3, 6–4, 6–2 2
26/32. Dominic Thiem 4 2019 French Open Clay F 6–3, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1 2
27/32. Novak Djokovic 1 2020 French Open Clay F 6–0, 6–2, 7–5 2
28/32. Diego Schwartzman 10 2021 French Open Clay QF 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–0 3
29/32. Félix Auger-Aliassime 9 2022 French Open Clay 4R 3–6, 6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 5
30/32. Novak Djokovic 1 2022 French Open Clay QF 6–2, 4–6, 6–2, 7–6(7–4) 5
31/32. Alexander Zverev 3 2022 French Open Clay SF 7–6(10–8), 6–6, ret. 5
32/32. Casper Ruud 8 2022 French Open Clay F 6–3, 6–3, 6–0 5

Notes

  1. ^ Nadal withdrew before the third round in 2016 due to a wrist injury, which does not officially count as a loss.

References

  1. ^ "Federer hails Nadal's milestone 20th". Roland Garros. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  2. ^ Abulleil, Reem (5 June 2022). "It's Grand Slam No.22 for Rafa". Roland-Garros. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  3. ^ Trollope, Matt (6 June 2022). "With 14th Roland Garros title, Nadal halfway to Grand Slam". Australian Open. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  4. ^ "STATUE IN HONOUR OF RAFA UNVEILED AT RG". rolandgarros.com. Paris. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.