This is a tribute thread to the greatest clay court player of all time the Spanish matador Rafael Nadal.Well done Rafa on winning Argentina Open and equalling the all time clay court titles record.
Spain's Rafael Nadal won a record-equalling 46th career clay-court title with a 6-4 6-1 victory over home favourite Juan Monaco in the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires.
Nadal moved on to the same number of titles as Monaco's compatriot Guillermo Vilas.
The start of the match was delayed because of rain and there was a further hold-up at 1-1 in the opening set.
But once play got started, the 28-year-old swept to an easy victory.
"I had the hope of winning here and I prepared very well for this so it's objective achieved," the nine-time French Open champion said.
It was his first final since winning at Roland Garros last June, having been hampered by a wrist injury and appendicitis in the second half of 2014, and was his 65th career title.
Nadal got the first break in the seventh game when the Argentine netted a service return.
He went on to break serve three more times for a comfortable victory in one hour and 26 minutes.
Nadal moved up to third in the world rankings after the victory, overtaking Britain's Andy Murray, who is now fifth, with Japan's Kei Nishikori fourth.
So well done and I hope that he not only wins French Open again this year but also US Open and Wimbledon though most likely he will win US Open than Wimbledon.
Views?Tennis fans?
Tribute thread to best clay court player!
posted on 18/4/15
I personally do not see him defending French Open this year. He has regressed overall.
posted on 21/4/15
No he will defend it.You just wait and see.
posted on 10/5/15
Well he's just been annihilated
posted on 10/5/15
Yeah I know and thats a shame as he is great to watch at his best.Sadly we are seeing a decline of one of all time tennis greats which is a shame.I am a massive Nadal fan!
posted on 11/5/15
Best match I'e ever seen Murray play on clay but Nadal was very poor to be honest.
posted on 11/5/15
Everyone could see this coming..I don't think people are surprised.
Nadal needs to pick his game up and give it his all at Roland Garros, because imo, it is going to be his final genuine shot at a Grand Slam.
posted on 12/5/15
Sadly swatpulla what you are saying might come true but it will be a sad day for tennis in general to see such a great champion fall spectacularly from grace!
posted on 13/5/15
I remember that even in 2004, columnists had started raising doubts over how long could Nadal sustain such a demanding style of play.
He has already surpassed all the expecations and I don't find anything sad in it. Tigers live shorter than turtles, but give us far more to remember. Nadal's peak is unmatched for a lot of reasons.
posted on 13/5/15
Tigers live shorter than turtles, but give us far more to remember.