Last night Rafael Nadal reached an important milestone at presumably his favourite place in the whole wide world: Roland Garros.
With his unmatchable 13th victory in the French Open final, he completed 20 Grand Slam wins. This means he is now neck-to-neck with his biggest rival and closest ally Roger Federer.
🌟 ¡LEYENDAS DEL TENIS! 🌟
— Sportscenter en español (@SportsCenter_nt) October 11, 2020
🇨🇭 ROGER FEDERER (20 GS) 🏆
🇦🇺 Australian Open (6)
🇫🇷 Roland Garros (1)
🇬🇧 Wimbledon (8)
🇺🇸 US Open (5)
🇪🇸 RAFAEL NADAL (20 GS) 🏆
🇦🇺 Australian Open (1)
🇫🇷 Roland Garros (13)
🇬🇧 Wimbledon (2)
🇺🇸 US Open (4) pic.twitter.com/EqQ56hVt41
No man has been able to win these many Grand Slams in the history of tennis; and what luck do we have, to witness two of them holding the record at the same time?!
While that is a thought that requires processing, what makes things even more beautiful, is their friendship.
ATP players to have won 100 matches at a Grand Slam:
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 11, 2020
– Roger Federer (102-15 AO, 101-13 Wimbledon)
– Rafael Nadal (100-2 #RolandGarros) pic.twitter.com/TLjhoUF5ks
As Rafa closed matters with his 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 win against world number 1 Novak Djokovic last night, he received praise from people across the world. This included, sporting legends, his fans and of course Federer.
In a sweet post for ‘champion’ Rafa, Roger Federer wrote:
As my greatest rival over many years, I believe we have pushed each other to become better players. Therefore, it is a true honor for me to congratulate him on his 20th Grand Slam victory.
40 GRAND SLAM TITLES in one Frame !!😍#Federer #Nadal pic.twitter.com/c5FqcLffxO
— BB Hajrah (@bbhajrah01) October 11, 2020
He also called Nadal’s 13th win ‘one of the greatest achievements in sport’.
It is especially amazing that he has now won Roland Garros an incredible 13 times, which is one of the greatest achievements in sport.
Federer ended the post with a reassuring ‘you deserve it’ and as one can imagine, that sent the internet into a very emotional space.
Two examples of class, respect, and excellence. Congrats @RafaelNadal! https://t.co/cpbacEmZI7
— Jay (@BallinInThe6ix) October 12, 2020
Great Nadal!
— M.Stang (@StangManu) October 11, 2020
Great @rogerfederer!
Almost impossible to have the best two players in the history at the same time in the coach.
For sure you pushed each other.
Congrats!! https://t.co/DJ1Za0KBUp
This is true sportsmanship 👏🏾 love seeing it. https://t.co/v8ErTWcXsl
— sloanestephens (@SloaneStephens) October 11, 2020
Just love these guys! So much respect for each other on and off the court! ❤️ @rogerfederer @RafaelNadal https://t.co/uCDDlR9WDZ
— Gwendelyn K (@gwendelyn_k) October 11, 2020
That’s what class looks like https://t.co/aChIep374N
— Peter Dickson (@peterdickson06) October 11, 2020
‘Sporting Spirit’ isn’t a myth https://t.co/J5CMvFjbTV
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 11, 2020
One day you’ll be telling your grandchildren you watched tennis in the era of Roger & Rafa. https://t.co/CSKS6FxGuA
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) October 11, 2020
Gracious as ever 🙂 @rogerfederer @RafaelNadal https://t.co/ehXDVlZ8Gq
— Chandrasekhar (@chanduk) October 11, 2020
This is how sport should be played – salute both the legends @rogerfederer and @RafaelNadal! Thanks for all the thrill of watching you guys play! https://t.co/gulretHhKE
— Me (@iamcnn) October 11, 2020
G.O.A.T to another G.O.A.T ♥️ https://t.co/A0Zq1WF7Ji
— M7mood Sayed (@m7mood_sayed) October 11, 2020