“Hope To Keep Facing You”: Rafael Nadal Tells Novak Djokovic After French Open 2020 Victory

Rafael Nadal dominated Novak Djokovic and won his 13th Roland Garros title at the Court Philippe Chatrier on Sunday. The 33-year-old eased his way into the match right from the start and showcased his class on the Parisian clay. During the title speech, Rafa graciously celebrated his rivalry with Novak Djokovic. 

“What you’re doing in tennis is very very special,” Nadal lauded Djokovic. The Spaniard mentioned that is a “pleasure” to have competed against the Serb on numerous occasions. The French Open 2020 Finals was a record 56th meeting between the pair. And Nadal wants more!

“Hope to keep facing you [Djokovic] on the court for the next couple of years,” Rafa expressed. With this special victory, Nadal now has amassed 100 victories at Roland Garros, a colossal record held by the man from Mallorca. 

“I cannot even say dream. It is something out of my better thoughts,” Nadal reacted to winning his 13th crown in Paris. “Super happy for everything. For me, as everybody knows this court is the most important court in my tennis career. The court that I enjoyed the most. Special moments and today was one of these,” added Nadal about the prestigious Court Philippe-Chatrier. 

Rafael Nadal gives credit where it is due

The 2020 French Open did not begin in the smoothest of fashions. Organizing a slam tournament amid a global pandemic is a strenuous job, and the people in Paris faced immense heat when a few players tested positive for the virus at the start. 

However, the tournament had since progressed without any roadblocks, and we got to see Rafa once again reigning supreme at the French Open. After receiving the La Coupe des Mousquetaires, Nadal rendered his gratitude to the organizers for their massive job.

“I want to continue saying thank you very much, everybody, who made possible this event. We are facing very challenging moments and I think Novak and I, we are very lucky that we can keep playing our sport. Many congratulations and many thanks to Roland Garros for organizing this event under these difficult circumstances,” Nadal mentioned. 

Furthermore, Rafa wished for a better year ahead when discussing the effects of the pandemic. “I really hope that when we come back here in June, we will be able to celebrate this amazing beautiful new stadium with the full crowd here in Philippe Chatrier,” the champion concluded.  

A comfortable 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 victory sealed the title for Rafael Nadal against his great rival. For Nadal, this year’s Roland Garros is even special. This is the fourth time in his career that he is winning a slam without dropping a set in the tournament.