Rafael Nadal wins Roland Garros 2019 and now has a total of 18 Grand slams including 12 Roland Garros Titles.
Nadal completed the ‘perfect dozen’ 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 and lay prone with his hands across his face after Thiem’s final forehand drifted long.
The 33-year-old Spaniard turns into the only player, man or woman, to win a similar Slam multiple times subsequent to seeing off a daring test from a tired Thiem in a rehash of the last year Final.
“I want to say congratulations to Dominic. I feel sorry as he deserves to win it as well,” said Nadal. “But he has every chance in the future.”
“It’s a dream to win again, an incredible moment. When I first played here in 2005 I never thought I would be still playing here in 2019.
“It’s very special for me.”
The world number two has recently won the title in 2005-2008, 2010-2014, 2017 and 2018.
It also gave Nadal an 82nd career title and 950th match win.
The No.2 seed ripped through 16 of 17 points en route to 4-0 and did not surrender a point on serve throughout set No.3 as he tore through it in just 20 minutes.
From there, Nadal never looked in doubt.
“It’s very tough right now because I gave everything I had these two weeks,” Thiem said. “Rafa well done. Of course I’m very sad to lose but you’re such an amazing champion, such a legend of our sport … I will try again next year for sure.
“So many people coming, friends, family, means a lot to me. I hope that you’ll be here when I maybe win my title here.”
Nadal is now just two behind Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 majors and three ahead of Novak Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal wins Roland Garros
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain during the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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- epa07637271 Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning the men’s final match against Dominic Thiem of Austria during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 09 June 2019. Nadal won the French Open title 12th times. EPA/YOAN VALAT
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain bites the winners trophy after victory following the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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- Spain’s Rafael Nadal holds the trophy as he celebrates his record 12th French Open tennis tournament title after winning his men’s final match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem in four sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Sunday, June 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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- epa07636840 Rafael Nadal of Spain warms up prior the men?s final match during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 09 June 2019. EPA-EFE/YOAN VALAT
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- Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his record 12th French Open tennis tournament title after winning his men’s final match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem in four sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Sunday, June 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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- Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his record 12th French Open tennis tournament title after winning his men’s final match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem in four sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Sunday, June 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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- Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts as he plays against Austria’s Dominic Thiem during their men’s singles final match, on day fifteen of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 9, 2019. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates vic following the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Winner, Rafael Nadal of Spain stands next to runner up Dominic Thiem of Austria with their trophies following their mens singles final during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy following the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy following the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal poses with the Coupe de Mousquetaires after his victory over Dominic Thiem of Austria in the Final of the men’s singles during Day 15 of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain makes a speach as he celebrates following the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory with the grounds staff following his mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory with the ball boys following his mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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- Spain’s Rafael Nadal holds the Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) during the Spanish national anthem at the end of the men’s singles final match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem on day fifteen of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 9, 2019. (Photo by Philippe LOPEZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Spain’s Rafael Nadal bites the Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) as he poses at the end of the men’s singles final match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem on day fifteen of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 9, 2019. (Photo by Philippe LOPEZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Rafael Nadal (SPA) celebrates his victory during the men Final of Roland Garros on June 9, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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- Rafael Nadal (SPA) celebrates his victory during the men Final of Roland Garros on June 9, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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- Rafael Nadal (SPA) celebrates his victory during the men Final of Roland Garros on June 9, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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- Rafael Nadal (SPA) celebrates his victory during the men Final of Roland Garros on June 9, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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- Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning against Austria’s Dominic Thiem during their men’s singles final match, on day fifteen of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 9, 2019. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain leaves the court as he is congratulated on victory from the ball boys and girls following the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day fifteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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