Rafael Nadal's crusade to the current edition of Roland Garros has been that of a champion. And it is not by chance that the Spaniard is called the "King of clay" - the 37-year-old tennis player has 81 consecutive victories on clay - an absolute record for single-surface win streak in the Open Era.
Let's recall what those who stood in his way and were defeated by the Spaniard shared about Nadal.
Mariano Puerta – (2005)
“When I went off the court, I knew I had lost against the best player in the world on clay. What could I do?”
Roger Federer – (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011)
"I won the first set easily, and usually in a situation like that I don't let things go by. But it's a final. It's against Nadal. It's on clay," said Federer in 2006. "That makes it very difficult - more difficult maybe than other cases."
"I would have hoped, of course, to get more today than four games," admitted Federer in 2008. "But Rafa has dominated this tournament like perhaps never before. Like Bjorn (Borg). He dominated from the first point until the end. It’s the strongest Rafa that I’ve ever seen. Today he was just supreme."
Robin Soderling – (2010)
"That's why he's so good - because he's moving so well and gets everything back. He's a great defensive player, but also has a great offensive game, as well. He can really change defence to offense really quick."
Novak Djokovic – (2012, 2014, 2020)
"He keeps going. No holding him back it seems like. It's amazing," stated Djokovic in 2020. I admire all his achievements, especially the one here. It's a stunning record that he's got on this court. He lost two times in his entire career. Winning 13 times, there's not much you can say. All the superlatives you can use, he deserves them."
David Ferrer – (2013)
"He has everything. Mentally, he's the best I have ever seen. He can play aggressively, has soft hands at the net, physically he is unbelievable. He played five sets two days ago and today he can play like that."
Stan Wawrinka – (2017)
"I think to play Rafa on clay in the Roland-Garros final is probably the biggest challenge you can have in tennis. He's the best player ever on clay. When you play Rafa at Roland-Garros, you're never the favourite. Of course you don't want to lose a Grand Slam final, but if you lose, it's almost normal."
Dominic Thiem – (2018, 2019)
"In in my opinion, to play Rafa here on Court Philippe-Chatrier, it’s still the toughest challenge. But I guess also outside of tennis, it’s probably one of the most difficult things ever in sports in general to beat him here on this court.”
Casper Ruud – (2022)
"His numbers speak for themselves. He has never lost a final here, and there is a reason why. I guess like I said in the speech, I'm just another one of the victims that he has destroyed on this court in the final. Of course, I wish I could make the match closer and all these things, but at the end of the day I can hopefully one day tell my grandkids that I played Rafa on Chatrier in the final, and they will probably say, 'Wow, did you?' I will say Yes. I'm probably going to enjoy this moment for a long time."