Top
Rafa Nadal French Open 0222

‘This will never ever happen again’ – John McEnroe marvels at Rafael Nadal French Open tally


Grand Slam great John McEnroe has given his thoughts on a record-extending 14th French Open title for Rafael Nadal, and whether or not it the 36-year-old’s record will ever be beaten. 

On Sunday, the ‘King of Clay’ lived up to his nickname as he swept aside Norway’s Casper Ruud in straight sets in the final to lift the La Coupe des Mousquetaires once more.

Despite a second set wobble, Nadal put on a powerful display as he steamrolled the 23-year-old as the match wore on claiming a 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 victory.

The victory means that Rafael Nadal has won a record 22 Grand Slams, two more than his old rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer who sit on 20.

It also the first time that Nadal has won the Australian Open and the Paris Slam in the same year.

Reflecting on Rafael Nadal’s historic victory, former world number one John McEnroe heaped praise upon the Spaniard’s record win, stating that Nadal’s impressive tally “will never ever happen again.”

Speaking to Eurosport, McEnroe said, “It’s beyond belief. It took a player – [Pete] Sampras – 35 years to catch Roy Emerson. We were thinking it would be another 30 years [before the record was broken again], and now it’s one, two, three guys.

“Most of us thought it would be Novak [Djokovic], but then there was that horrible debacle in Australia. I don’t think Novak thought that Rafa would go and win [the Australian Open].

“Djokovic came [to Roland-Garros] thinking ‘I’ve got to catch this guy’, and then Rafa stepped up to the plate again. If anyone comes close to this, I will stand on my head and do an entire telecast – if Eurosport invites me back in 15 years and Casper Ruud has just won his 14th straight French Open – I will stand on my head the entire telecast.

“This will never, ever, ever happen again in our sport, that one male – or female – will win as many of these events, so enjoy it while we can. [Rafa] has been giving signs that maybe he might not play anymore, possibly. I don’t know if that’s true, but it sounds conceivable that it’s going to be his last match.

“He’s talked about not playing Wimbledon… why would he not play Wimbledon if he’s won the Australian and the French? He could win the Grand Slam, so we’ll see.”

🎾 Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB

🎾 Social >> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube

🎾 Read >> World’s best tennis magazine

🎾 Watch >> How to enjoy ATP/WTA/Slam tennis on TV

🎾 Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner


×
 
Why Choose to Autoship?
  • Automatically re-order your favorite products on your schedule.
  • Easily change the products or shipping date for your upcoming Scheduled Orders.
  • Pause or cancel any time.