La Coupe des Mousquetaires, the trophy given to the men’s singles champion of the French Open, has been named after the “Four Musketeers” – Jacques Brugnon, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet and Rene Lacoste.
Together, these four French stars won the French Open eight times between 1925 and 1932. Rafael Nadal is on nine and counting.
Comparisons are odious, but it is time to accept Nadal for what he is – not a mere musketeer, but the undisputed King of Roland Garros, with 66 victories in 67 matches. The King of Spain has abdicated, but does it really matter?
Perhaps it is time to build a crown for El Phenomenon, heavier and more precious than the 14 kilograms of silver he lifted on Sunday night. An elaborate and ornate throne would be nice, too. Nadal deserves it and deserves every plaudit coming his way for the way he humbled Novak Djokovic in the final.
Two weeks ago, Nadal must have felt a bit like Julius Caesar, warned by seers on his way to the Theatre of Pompey. But there was no theatre at Le Stade Roland Garros and no coup on Court Philippe Chatrier, just a ruthless dismantling of every doubt and pretender to the throne.
The prophesies of his impending downfall made him only stronger.
“I have won it nine times, that’s because I really wanted this,” Nadal said after his 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 win over Djokovic. “You do your best to attain your objective. Where there is a will, there is a way.”
Djokovic wanted it badly, as well. The Coupe des Mousquetaires is the only major trophy missing from his collection, and the world No 2 is desperate to add it to his collection.
But, to his misfortune, Nadal keeps showing up in his path and knocking him out.
The Spaniard has beaten him six times in 10 appearances at Roland Garros: twice in the final, three times in the semis and once in a quarter-final.
With four consecutive wins over Nadal, including a majestic victory at Rome, Djokovic was expected to finally bring his long wait to an end this time. Also, the Spaniard had arrived in Paris after enduring his worst season on clay in more than a decade.
The omens looked good as Djokovic won the first set; the Serb had lost just once to Nadal after winning the opener – at Madrid in 2009.
But then, the Spaniard’s sheer will to win left the No 2 in a daze, his body language suggesting the man was beaten long before he fell.
“It’s not impossible, but it’s very, very difficult to stay with Rafa in this court, throughout the whole match on the highest level of performance,” Djokovic said.
Nadal owns that court. So, perhaps, the French might consider renaming it. Or at least, add an inscription that says, "Nadal venne, e vide e vines" (Nadal came, saw and conquered).
arizvi@thenational.ae
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