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Nothing is certain anymore. It’s the world we live in. If you said “look at that beautiful blue sky” someone somewhere is sure to retort “looks green to me”. We’re in a bad place. Everything is up for debate, everyone has their own spin. We’re just a few years removed from someone actually using the phrase “alternative facts”. So in this great era of misgiving and confusion it’s nice to know there actually is one anchor upon which we can hold firm: Rafael Nadal on clay. Sunday at the French Open Nadal claimed his 14th French Open title (a record), his 22nd overall Grand Slam title (also a record), and became the oldest champion in French Open history at the age of 36. In the straight set win he only lost 6 games, the 6th time he’s won a slam final by giving up fewer than 10 games(hint: also a record). With the win Nadal improved to 14-0 in French Open finals and his overall record at the French is a remarkable 112-3. How in the actual hell did he ever lose 3? So yeah, clay and The French are kinda his things.
But does that make him the best ever? Nadal’s won the most career slams at 22, 2 ahead of the 20 won by both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Usually you get GOAT status by winning the most. Not only has Rafa won the most slams he’s also won every slam at least twice. Yet there’s something about the overwhelming "French-i-tude" of his titles that leaves me wondering. 64% of his Grand Slam titles have come at Roland Garros, 64%!!. I’m sure some of you right now are saying “ well 9 of Joker’s 20 have come at The Australian Open and 8 of Roger’s 20 have come at Wimbledon”.
All of that’s true yet that’s still less than 50% at one major for both of them. Clay courts are tricky, somewhat quirky even. It’s extremely rare for a clay court specialist to be so dominant on other surfaces, the way Rafa has. Somehow to me it leaves the door open for cases to be made for both Federer and Novak. It’s kind of like the debate in golf between Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Jack has the most majors at 18 with Tiger 2nd at 15. But many in golf believe that Tiger’s all around game at his peak was better and there’s no question he was beating a deeper field during his dominance than Jack was on his run to 18. Sometimes it’s not just about the number.
No matter who you want to label the king of tennis one other thing is undeniable: We’re in the absolute golden age of the game on the men's side. With Rafa winning Sunday that means 62 of the last 75 men’s Grand Slam titles have been won by either Nadal, Joker or Federer. I’m not good at math but thats 83% of all the possible slams gobbled up by this incredible trio. Honestly though, that’s not even the most impressive part. This ridiculous run has been going on for 19 years now.
It started with Roger’s first Wimbledon in 2003 and number 62 was Rafa on Sunday. Perhaps the better idea of deciding who’s the best is to just appreciate what we’re seeing. Nadal won Sunday despite needing an injection for his foot which essentially kept it asleep for the final and his status for Wimbledon is hardly certain. Roger is 40 and hasn’t played in almost a year due to several knee operations and Novak is 35.
Joker might have the most slams when it’s all said and done, but you get the idea that the done part is closer for all 3 than it’s ever been before. Let’s just enjoy it while they last, and then we’ll have to go back to the alternative facts world we find ourselves in.
