Rafael Nadal equals Roger Federer’s grand slam record with win over Novak Djokovic in French Open
- Nadal‘s latest success also means he is the first player in history to win 100 matches at Roland Garros
- The Paris tournament, which was delayed from May, was limited to 1,000 spectators because of coronavirus restrictions
Rafael Nadal earned a record-equalling 20th grand slam title at the French Open on Sunday with a dominant 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 triumph over Novak Djokovic to pull level with Roger Federer's major haul.
Nadal's latest success, his record-extending 13th at the French Open, also means he is the first player in history to win 100 matches at Roland Garros and joins an exclusive century club of four other players.
Only women's champions Chris Evert and Serena Williams at the US Open and Martina Navratilova along with Federer at Wimbledon have won more than 100 matches at one grand slam.
The 34-year-old world number two notched six straight games to take the lead in the first set and in the second, world number one Djokovic's serve was broken twice more as his Spanish rival ran away with the encounter.
“This court is the most important court in my tennis career,” Nadal said to the crowd at the Philippe Chatrier Court, which was limited to 1,000 spectators because of coronavirus restrictions. The Paris tournament was delayed from May.
“We are under very tough circumstances. In some ways it is not that happy because we cannot celebrate the tournament in a normal way.”