Rafael Nadal wins record 7th French Open!

Rafael Nadal made history in Paris earlier today when he beat archrival Novak Djokovic in the finals of the French Open.

Nadal, winning for the seventh time, broke a tie with Bjorn Borg for the most French crowns ever won by a man. (Chris Evert holds the women’s record with seven titles).

Nadal also tied Borg and Rod Laver on the all-time list for overall grand slam titles with 11. Only Roy Emerson (12), Pete Sampras (14) and all-time leader Roger Federer (16) have more.

Djokovic was playing to become the first man since Laver in 1969 to win four consecutive grand slam tournaments. He had beaten Nadal in the finals of Wimbledon, the US Open and Australian Open but the Spaniard was finally able to turn the tables.

Nadal improved his astonishing record at the French Open to 52-1.

”I don’t know if I am the best or not,” Nadal said after the match. ” I am not the right one to say that. The only thing is, I have probably one of the best results ever, probably in this kind of surface, and for me (that) is great.”

Said a gracious Djokovic: ”He’s definitely the best player in history on this surface and the results are showing that he’s one of the best-ever players to play this game.”

The sport now turns its attention to grass courts for Wimbledon and the Olympics. Federer, a six-time Wimbledon champion, will be a bigger threat on grass than clay. Nadal has won Wimbledon twice.