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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