"Greatest competitor and champion I have ever seen, he does it with such class, what a role model" - Tennis world praises Rafael Nadal following his French Open victory
Rafael Nadal became the oldest player to win the French Open title after his 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 win against Casper Ruud on Sunday.
With the win, Nadal also clinched his 14th French Open crown and 22nd Grand Slam title.
The tennis fraternity was full of praise for the Spaniard, who celebrated his 36th birthday on Friday. American tennis legend Billie Jean King was prompt to tweet her congratulations.
"The King of Clay Court Tennis does it again. Congratulations to @RafaelNadal on his 14th French Open win and his 22nd major title! #RolandGarros," she wrote.
The King of Clay Court Tennis does it again.
Congratulations to @RafaelNadal on his 14th French Open win and his 22nd major title!
#RolandGarros twitter.com/rolandgarros/sβ¦
Daria Kasatkina, who lost to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in the women's singles semifinals at the French Open, promised to keep her cool after the Spaniard's victory.
"This time I will not cry," Kasatkina tweeted.
This time I will try not to cry twitter.com/rolandgarros/sβ¦
Nadal's Spanish compatriot Garbine Muguruza lauded the French Open champion.
"Total admiration! you are the best @RafaelNadal" Muguruza said.
AdmiraciΓ³n total! πͺπͺ
Eres el mejor @RafaelNadal
#22 Grand Slam
#14 @rolandgarros https://t.co/EAMza0rAQp
Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro described the Mallorcan as "the great champion."
Impresionante @RafaelNadal !!!
Que gran campeΓ³n, gran ejemplo de todo!!! Felicidades π
#RafaelNadalπ΅ twitter.com/rolandgarros/sβ¦
Ons Jabeur, who suffered a first-round exit at Roland Garros, expressed her admiration for the Spaniard with 14 trophy 'emojis'.
The king @RafaelNadal β€οΈβ€οΈπͺπͺππππππππππππππππππ twitter.com/rolandgarros/sβ¦
Australian legend Rod Laver asks Rafael Nadal to rest as he is "halfway to the Slam"
Tennis legend Rod Laver, who won 11 Grand Slams that included a Calendar Slam, requested Nadal to rest as he was "halfway" to emulating the Australian.
"Congratulations Rafael Nadal, 14 French Open crowns and 22 majors. A flawless performance caps off a grueling fortnight. I hope you get some rest now, half way to the Slam!" Rod Laver wrote.
twitter.com/LaverCup/statuβ¦
Congratulations Rafael Nadal, 14 French Open crowns and 22 majors. A flawless performance caps off a grueling fortnight. I hope you get some rest now, half way to the Slam! π twitter.com/LaverCup/statuβ¦
Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz, who had beaten Nadal en route to his Madrid Open title earlier this year, also praised his idol and compatriot.
π» ENHORABUENA!
Simplemente increΓble @RafaelNadal! πx14 @rolandgarros ππ» ENHORABUENA! https://t.co/RjzN2kALUx
Diego Schwartzman of Argentina chose to describe the Mallorcan's achievements as "unparalleled."
"There are no words to explain what you achieved @RafaelNadal, what unparalleled madness," Schwartzman said.
No hay palabras para explicar lo que lograste @RafaelNadal . Que locura inigualable twitter.com/espn/status/15β¦
Sania Mirza called Nadal an "ambassador to our amazing sport."
FOURTEEN!!!!!!! #Rolandgarros take a bow @RafaelNadal .. what an incredible champion and ambassador to our amazing sport ππ½ππ½ππ½
Australian tennis coach Rennae Stubbs described the 14-time French Open champion as the "greatest competitor and champion" she has seen.
"Rafael Nadal is truly the greatest competitor and champion i have ever seen. 22 grand slams! 14, 14 @rolandgarros titles!!!!! I just canβt believe what i am witnessing with this man! Itβs insane! And he does it with such class, what a role model!" Stubbs said.
@RafaelNadal is truly the greatest competitor and champion i have ever seen. 22 grand slams! 14, 14 @rolandgarros titles!!!!! I just canβt believe what i am witnessing with this man! Itβs insane! And he does it with such classβ¦..what a role model!
The ATP also congratulated Nadal on his incredible achievements.
π¦πΊ ππ
π«π· ππππππππππππππ
π¬π§ππ
πΊπΈ ππππ
@RafaelNadal | @rolandgarros | #RolandGarros https://t.co/dGJucF9e3O
Frenchman Nicolas Mahut chose to describe the Spaniard's French Open record as "monumental."
"Participating in the tournament 14 times is something honourable, winning 14 matches is respectable, reaching 14 times in the second week of the tournament ranks you among the greatest in the sport, winning 14 times is? Unimaginable, monumental?" Mahut wrote.
Participer 14 fois au tournoi est quelque chose dβhonorable, gagner 14 matchs est respectable, atteindre 14 fois la deuxiΓ¨me semaine du tournoi vous classe parmi les plus grands de ce sportβ¦ gagner 14 fois est?β¦ inimaginable, monumental ? @djub22
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the losing finalist at Roland Garros last year, lauded the Spaniard for his hard work and passion.
Congratulations on your outstanding achievement @RafaelNadal!
It just goes to show that hard work, passion, and a βnever give upβ attitude really goes a long way. You have put your time, heart, and soul into this, and your perseverance made this #14. twitter.com/rolandgarros/sβ¦
Former US Open champion Tracy Austin called the 36-year-old's feats "insane."
112-3 14πβs @rolandgarros Insane #βs!!!!!! @RafaelNadal is an incredible champion, competitor and such a classy person. With all the foot issues, just turned 36, he adds his 22nd Major. Just Wow!!π