The connection between Paris and Rafael Nadal is as intense as that between Queen Elizabeth II and the British Crown. On Sunday he clinched his 14th title with his 115th win in 112 games at Roland Garros. The international press agrees that it is the record of an “alien.”
“Marca”: “There is only one thing that never changes: Rafa always wins. A god on earth. Nadal’s eternal reign in Roland Garros goes so far that two kings have seen him win in Paris: Juan Carlos the First and Felipe sixth. Ruud was completely overwhelmed, Paris continues to speak Spanish.”
“AS”: “Rafael XIV, the Sun King. Long live Nadal. Nadal is the lord and champion of Roland Garros. Spain owes a lot to Nadal. What madness! It was a one-sided final in which Casper Ruud didn’t get a touch a chance. Nadal is surrounded by a mystique in Paris – there is a magic that makes him succeed in practically everything.”
“Sport”: “Nadal – an extraterrestrial on earth. His results are from another planet, Nadal is the clay court king. He extends his reign in Roland Garros with his 14th crown. The Mallorcan took apart Ruud in a turbo final. Since 2005 The same story repeats itself almost every year.”
“El Mundo Deportivo”: “22 Grand Slams, 14 times Roland Garros. Nadal knocks Ruud away and is on the way to becoming the best tennis player in history. Historical, unique, incomparable – an extraterrestrial. Nadal played cat and mouse with Casper Ruud. He won a total of 112 out of 115 games at Roland Garros, what a giant.”
“Blick”: “Rafael Nadal triumphed in Paris with a stunned foot. An injection made it possible: Rafael Nadal remains the measure of all things on sand. Even a numb foot couldn’t keep the Spaniard from his 14th French Open victory.”
“Aargauer Zeitung”: “Rafael Nadal experiences a fairy tale in his nightmare of pain – the next few days will decide his fate. He played the French Open with a numb foot – and won it for the 14th time. A prize that Rafael Nadal no longer has willing to pay. He has days of truth ahead of him.”
“The Times”: “In the 131-year history of the French Open, this prestigious tournament has never witnessed such a milestone. In the most grueling Grand Slam of all, Rafael Nadal overcame all doubts about his physical well-being to become the oldest at the age of 36 To become men’s champion.”
“The Sun”: “There are few certainties in life these days – except maybe when it comes to Rafael Nadal swinging a tennis racket at the French Open. For the 14th time at 18 (sic! Nadal has played 17 tournaments in Paris , Editor’s note) The relentless Spaniard is trying to be the clay court king of Roland Garros.”
“Daily Mail”: “Rafa reigns once more! After the fame came Rafael Nadal’s warning that he faces a treatment on his foot in the coming week that will determine his entire tennis future.”