Rafael Nadal claimed his 13th Roland Garros title and his 20th Grand Slam trophy tying Rpger Federer’s record for most Grand Slam titles. For the 12th time in his career Nadal finished the year in the top-2.
Nadal took part in just two tournaments this year due to the covid-19 pandemic winning two titles in Acapulco and at the French Open.
Nadal started the 2020 seaosn at the ATP Cup, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the final. The Mallorcan player reached the quarter final at the Australian Open for the 12th time in his career, before losing to Dominic Thiem in four sets 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (4-7).
Nadal won his first title of the year in Acapulco after beating all his five rivals (Pablo Andujar, Miomir Kecmanovic, Soonwoo Kwon, Grigor Dimitrov and Taylor Fritz) in straight sets. During the lockdown he spent six and a half months in Mallorca.
After skipping the Western and Southern Open tournaments Nadal made his come-back at the Rome Masters 1000 tournament, where he lost to Diego Schwartzman in the quarter finals. Nadal travelled to Paris Roland Garros with three matches since March.
Nadal did not drop a set en route to his 13th Roland Garros title for the fourth time after 2008, 2010 and 2017. His win over world number 1 Novak Djokovic in Roland Garros final marked the 999th win of his career and his 100th win at this tournament.
“I played a very good final when I needed to play at my highest level, so something I am very proud of. I would love to finish my career being the player with more Grand Slams. I am a big fan of the history of sport. I respect that a lot. It means a lot to share this number with Roger”, said Nadal.
The Spanish legend returned to Paris to take part at the Paris Bercy Masters 1000 tournament, where he lost to Alexander Zverev in straight sets in the semifinal.
Nadal reached his first semifinal at the ATP Finals since 2015. After a straight set win over Andrey Rublev, Nadal lost to Dominic Thiem after two tie-breaks in the best match of this year’s edition of the ATP FInals. Nadal edged Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets in the deciding round-robin match to advance the semifinal. Nadal lost to Danil Medvedev 3-6 7-6 6-3 in the semifinal. Medvedev pulled the break back the second set, before winning four consecutive games in the third set to beat Nadal for the first time in his career.
“At the second set I was playing a little bit better than him. Then at 5-4 I think he played a good game and I didn’t. I played a bad game. That’s it, but I had a big opportunity and I lost it”.
Nadal is eager to start his preparation for the 2021 season.
“My goals remain the same. They are not easier or harder. I want to give 100% and every tournament and have a chance to fight for the title. My goals have always been the same. They are not easier or harder. I want to give 100% and every tournament and have a chance to fight for the title. My motivation has always been the same, year after year. The 2021 season will be very important, and I want to be ready for things I want to fight for. I will work hard during the off-season and get ready for a strong start”, said Nadal.
