CAMELOT FANTASIES

Congratulations to Rafael Nadal, his team and his fans for his 9th, that's right, 9th Roland Garros title and 14th major overall!

Commiserations to Novak Djokovic, his team and supporters. He's now lost 2 Roland Garros finals, 0-6 in matches overall to Nadal, and like Roger Federer, understands how difficult it is to beat Nadal at Roland Garros. 

It was a very physical match with the weather hot and humid, and both players were in and out of there games here and there, with Nole probably being the worse for wear.  Nadal did not start off well, hitting short returns, of which Nole took full advantage. Rafa's backhand was also very suspect in the first set, much like in the match against David Ferrer and Nole took the first set 6-3.

In the second set, Rafa's forehand began to get stronger and his backhand was much more steady. His return still wasn't that great, but good enough, and Djokovic tiring, faltered at the end of the set, much like Ferrer to lose it 5-7.  He looked absolutely exhausted at the start of the 3rd, quickly getting broken by Nadal, and really just hung in there.  I thought too much. In my opinion, he should have given up the set easier than he did, except for his last service game.  I thought this was his only chance to get the 4th set. But he didn't do that, lost his last serve to lose the 3rd 6-2, and Rafa started serving in the 4th. 

Rafa kept in front, and broke Nole and was up 4-2, but then looked like he hit the wall, and was bending over frequently as perhaps his back was bothering him. Djokovic broke back, got back to 4 all, but then Rafa won his serve and Djokovic broke himself with a Double fault in the last game to lose the set and the championship.  He was clearly tired, and Rafa wasn't far behind in that regard.

Very tough for Novak Djokovic, with Nadal's forehand working and his ball really taking off, bouncing high in the warm weather once the court dried out from the watering it gets before the match, by the second set. Nole didn't look 100% healthy, in one part of the match was spitting up bubbles, almost vomiting on the court. 

In any case, well done to Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros champion for the 9th time. Rafa, now 28 years old, who received his trophy from the great Bjorn Borg, who won his 6th and final French Open at age 25, said after the match that he thinks Novak has a good chance to win in the future.  That may be if Rafa decides he has had enough.

But for now, he's still reigning champion and King of Roland Garros.
Congratulations again to Clay Warrior.

Respectfully,
masterclass