Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka will meet in the Roland Garros final on Sunday afternoon.
It will be Rafa’s 22nd Grand Slam final overall, breaking a tie with Novak Djokovic for second behind Roger Federer’s 28.
If our champ wins the championship on Sunday, it’ll be his 15th at a major, breaking a tie with Pete Sampras for second behind Federer’s 18.
Rafa, who won the last of his French Opens in 2014, is bidding to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam.
Date: June 11, 2017
Match time: 3 PM local time / 9 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 2 PM BST – United Kingdom / 3 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 11 PM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa on facing Stan:
I have been playing a great event. But Stan is playing unbelievable, no? It will be a super-hard final and I will need to play at my very best.
Stan on facing Rafa:
I think to play Rafa on clay in French Open in a final is probably the biggest challenge you can have in tennis. He’s the best player ever on clay. He’s going for his 10th Roland Garros, so it’s something really impressive, something tough.
It’s for sure going to be really difficult. But again, in the end of the day, it’s the final. The pressure is on both players. No one will go on the court thinking he has no pressure. We both want to win the title, and we both gonna give it all on the court.
- The winner of today’s final will move up to No. 2, with the runner-up at No. 3, when the ATP rankings are updated on Monday 12 June.
- Rafa is in 1st place on the list for the most Tour-level match-wins in 2017 (42-6). Thiem (34-13), Goffin (31-12).
- Rafa is in 1st place on the list for most clay court wins in 2017 (23-1).
- This is Rafa’s 22nd Grand Slam final. He has a 14-7 win-loss record in Grand Slam finals, going into today’s match.
- Rafa is bidding to win his 53rd career clay court title at Roland Garros.
- Rafa is through to the Roland Garros final without dropping a set for the 5th time in his career. He also reached the final here without dropping a set in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012. He went on to win the title without dropping a set in 2008 and 2010.
- Rafa has played just 2 five-set matches at Roland Garros – he came back from 1-2 down to defeat John Isner in the 1st round in 2011 and also defeated Djokovic in 5 sets in the 2013 semifinals. He has a 19-9 win-loss record in 5-set matches overall.
- Rafa is the leading performer in Roland Garros history. He has a 78-2 win-loss record at Roland Garros, ahead of Federer (65-16), Djokovic (59-12) and Vilas (58-17).
Rafa has a 15-3 record against Wawrinka. Rafa has a 2-1 win-loss record against Wawrinka in Tour-level finals, with both of his 2 wins coming on clay. This is the 8th time the pair have met on clay. Rafa has a 6-1 win-loss record against Wawrinka on clay, with his only defeat coming at 2015 Rome-1000.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Rafael Nadal |
61 64
|
| 2015 | ATP Finals Great Britain |
Indoor Hard | RR | Rafael Nadal |
63 62
|
| 2015 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Paris France |
Indoor Hard | QF | Stan Wawrinka |
768 767
|
| 2015 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai China |
Outdoor Hard | QF | Rafael Nadal |
62 61
|
| 2015 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Stan Wawrinka |
767 62
|
| 2014 | Australian Open Australia |
Outdoor Hard | F | Stan Wawrinka |
63 62 36 63
|
| 2013 | ATP Finals Great Britain |
Indoor Hard | RR | Rafael Nadal |
765 766
|
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai China |
Outdoor Hard | QF | Rafael Nadal |
7610 61
|
| 2013 | Roland Garros France |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Rafael Nadal |
62 63 61
|
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain |
Outdoor Clay | F | Rafael Nadal |
62 64
|
| 2012 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Rafael Nadal |
75 64
|
| 2010 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai China |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
64 64
|
| 2010 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada Canada |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
7612 63
|
| 2010 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Rafael Nadal |
64 61
|
| 2009 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami FL, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
762 764
|
| 2007 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Paris France |
Indoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
64 63
|
| 2007 | Stuttgart Germany |
Outdoor Grass | F | Rafael Nadal |
64 75
|
| 2007 | Australian Open Australia |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
62 62 62
|
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Sources: Roland Garros, AFP
Lyrics from singer/songwriter SIA – unstoppable.
I’m unstoppable
I’m a Porsche with no brakes
I’m invincible
Yeah, I win every single game
I’m so powerful
I don’t need batteries to play
I’m so confident
I’m unstoppable today
Unstoppable today
I’m unstoppable today
Rafa I’m sure the inspiration for this song must have come after watching you on court Lol.
Keep the pressure on Rafa
Nice Maria. Rafa 2 sets up too
WOW awesome champ. Keep it going
This is RAFA MAGIC 𗀠𗀃👍🏻👏🏻
I’ve got to hand it to Stan. He’s shaking his head and smiling and eating balls as rafa has him on the ropes. Prefer to see that rather than smashing racquets and swearing.
Hi Susie , WOW! How great is Rafa doing. Stan can keep to eating balls🎾🎾🎾 as the only person chomping on that trophy🏆 today is THE KING👑 no GOD OF CLAY.
I dont care how he does it Maria. As long as Rafa does it!!
Agree Susie – until now 🙈😖😁 – one racquet down 😉👎🏻
Comment on Stans temper that is 😉
He’s being good for Stan rafantastic. I think he realises there’s nothing he can do.
Rafa – can you do this in straight sets? You are playing fantastically- so focused. I hope so. One down – two to go.
Keep it going Rafa , you’re doing GREAT!
Yes Maria, The King is back 🎾💪🏼👑 This is soo awesome 🤗😍
VAMOOS RAFA❣️
It sure is Rafantastic, Rafa is on 🔥
Rafa to win in straight sets!!! 😄😄😄
Rafa, your time has come to show he world the king of clay is back and here to stay. Stan may have more of the crowd on his side , but you have the side of the gods .
GOOD LUCK SWEET SWEET RAFA CHAMP – VAMOOS! 🎾💪🏼❤️🍀🌟🤞🏻😘☀️
Just got home with the beer. I rarely drink, and never in the A.M, but today is an occasion for all occasions; Rafa’s chance to win a Decima at the most difficult tournament of the tour, the French Open.
The energy and the positive atmosphere here is unbelievable so I can only imagine what it must be like for Rafa and his team. I am so lucky to have friends and family members who share my passion for Rafa.
WE ALL WILL BE CHEERING FOR THE GREATEST CLAYCOURTER OF ALL TIME, RAFAEL NADAL. Yes you can Rafa.
May the storied Greek Olympians look down upon you and marvel at the qualities that have brought you here for your tenth title.
The very best to you Rafa. You are about to make history, yet again.
Let the great French wine and champagne flow.
RAFA ROCKS
Getting ready for this. Sitting down with my lunch so that I’m energised for the hours ahead. Funnily enough I’ve lost my appetite- but I expect that’s only natural. Sending all the luck I can muster to Rafa and all positive vibes. He can so do this!!
One hour to go! I’ve sent my #VAMOSRAFA Tweet, made my lunch, arranged my water bottles 🙂 and have beside me the pine cone I picked up from Roland Garros last week. They should sell little jars of the clay!
I keep thinking about Rafa’s RG17 shoes – whoever designed those is a genius.
Nine is behind you Rafa, you have already achieved it, already accomplished so much. You can wear that number with pride. Now, you can take one step further.
You have the good people that are your family and your team – and all of your fans! You are healthy and strong and can give 110%. You have it all – talent, experience, confidence – and I know you will give it all. Play your best and try your hardest like you always do.
In front of you is La Decima.
Stay strong, and as Nike say, just do it.
Vamos!!
Jas_uk , you have said it all ,just make sure you have those water bottles facing in the right direction. Lol This is one match his fans are going to enjoy.
OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA & OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) : ) : ) YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ) Congratulations on your precious, beautiful VICTORY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE SUCH A CLASSY , ONE OF A KIND EVER TENNIS GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ; ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ) : ) : ) SO INCREDIBLY NATURALLY TALENTED & DOING IT ALL WITH SUCH GRACE & CLASS & SPORTSMANSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) WE LOVE DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) : ) LOVE LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIFUL CLASSY TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 🙂 : ) : ) : ) THE WAY YOU MOVE……….LOVE THE WAY YOU RETURN…………….LOVE THE WAY YOU RUN FOR NET POINTS…………………………LOVE YOUR PRECIOUS EFFECTIVE SERVE…………………….LOVE YOUR FEISTY PASSION…………………….. ci…..ci……ci…..& LOVE YOUR FANTASTIC COURT COVERAGE………….FIGHTING FOR EACH BALL WITH YOUR STRENGTH & INTELLIGENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 THE RAFA SPECIALTY …..wi…..wi…..wi….SENIOR SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) 🙂 : ) : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VERY VERY VERY HAPPY FOR YOU SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ); ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) It is a beautiful day & a great time for more TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ) 🙂 We love you dear Rafa and so very happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ; ) : ) ; ) 🙂 LOVE YOUR GOD GIVEN INSTINCTS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) YOUR TENNIS INTELLECT………………& TENNIS KNOW HOW ………..YOU ARE SO IMPRESSIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ) HAVE LOTS & LOTS OF FUN PLAYING & ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ) IT WILL BE A GREAT MATCH & IT WILL BE A GREAT MATCH FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 THAT IS ALL FOR FUN ……HAVE A GREAT TIME SWEETHEART & KEEP SMILING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 YOU HAVE ALL THAT YOU NEED & TODAY IS ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL MATCH ON YOUR HOME LAND CLAY COURT……….: ) 🙂 : ) 😉 : ) YOU ARE PRECIOUS SPORTSMAN & WE LOVE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) 🙂 THE FRENCH CROWD ADORES YOU & HAS SO MUCH MUCH MUCH RESPECT FOR YOUR EARNEST BEAUTIFUL TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS SWEETHEART & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) 😉 VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 XOXOXOXOXOXO ENJOY LOTS OF FUN!!!! : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
I don’t underestimate any opponent of Rafa’s and least of all Stan. He’s very strong mentally and has been playing very well full of drive and determination. He knows Rafa’s game and I hope Rafa can surprise him and topple him.
Rafa I know the universe is with you – I wish you all luck, skill, strength, determination and belief in yourself. Attack and dictate all the points. Don’t give Stan too much respect- just a little is enough. I hope I have the nerve to watch your match.
Know that you deserve the trophy 🏆 for the 10th time and more.
VAMOS VAMOS VAMOS !!!!!
The day has come Rafa when you make History (again) , and I don’t think this will be the last time this it is said .2017 is the year of the rooster but for me it is the year of Rafa Nadal .
Good luck today Rafa ,to you and your wonderful team , yours and their dreams and wishes are about to come true . Enjoy every moment , your fans will be.
Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish tweeted about Rafael Nadal reaching his 10th final at the Roland Garros after beating the Austrian Dominic Thiem 6/3 6/4 6/0. Fish, who called it a career in August 2015, tweeted: ‘Thank god I didn’t ever play Rafa on clay.
Oh and oh and oh and oh and oh”, Fish said. Roddick, a former World No. 1, replied: ‘I did… it sucked’, he admitted. Roddick,
By the end of the day Stan’s text could be very similar.
Vamos Rafa….play for legend!!!!!
Thanks for the correction, Susie. I did not check (she ain’t Rafa, LOL) and thought that is what the commentator said.
Both she and Rafa turned pro at age 15.
RAFA ROCKS
I think most of us are a bit anxious about Rafa’s match against Stan, although optomistic that Rafa will prevail. Stan certainly brings his A game to any Grand Slam final he reaches but Rafa will surely bring his A game along too.
I am comforted by the thought that everyone was apprehensive about Rafa’s semi-final against Thiem who had, like Rafa won all his previous matches in straight sets and certainly demolished Novak . So there was reason for some anxiety about Rafa’s chances in the semi-finals but as it turned out Rafa completely overpowered him, even by a bagel in the third set.
What I am telling myself is, that at this stage Rafa is proving to be way above the best, so hope this will apply also to his match against Stan.
However, because we so much want to see Rafa victorious we are naturally tense leading up to this final. (I say “we” but maybe there are some with nerves of steel who feel calm and collected.)
I feel comparatively confident but far from calm and collected. !!
Couldn’t have put it better myself Beverley. You’ve summed up exactly how I feel and perhaps many others. Can’t wait for the match though!
I’m one of the “we”. Beverley, thank you for expressing it so eloquently. Rafa, best of luck tomorrow! We’re all behind you!
Reasons I believe Rafa will win tomorrow:
1. To borrow Fed’s words: “Rafa is Rafa”.
2. Game plan
There is no game plan to beat Rafa on Chatrier. You can come up with anything. You can try it for real on court. Since 2005, no one has really succeeded. An ailing 2009 Rafa and a “curious case of Rafa Nadal” in 2015 don’t count. We’re talking about tactics here.
Meanwhile Rafa can play as he pleases against anyone. He can lose some battles, but in the end he always win the war.
Stan really doesn’t have much choice. It will only get harder for him, because:
3. Wind
The weather will be in Rafa’s favour: Sunny, hot, dry, only 6-9mph winds form from 3-7pm BUT with strong gusts 17-19mph – one of the “specialities” of Chatrier. Many players have commented on how gusty Chatrier is. Rafa has always been able to deal extremely well with these conditions since day one. And no one is more experienced than patient than him.
4. Heat
Stan doesn’t like it hot. 28-29oC will be a bit too much for him tomorrow. His power will be tamed gradually in the heat as the match goes on.
While Rafa will be affected by it too stamina wise (he doesn’t like it when it’s >25oC), his game will only be benefited tremendously with the ball bouncing even higher and kicking up like crazy with his monstrous topspin, which he tends to hit will all his might tomorrow.
Also being probably the Goat wind player, he can actually exploit the winds to save his tank when he’s on the right side of the court. Stan can do it too. But not in Rafa’s level.
The ball will also travel through the air quicker and while Stan can take the ball early well, he still needs a substantial amount of time to set up his OHBH. Rafa likes to stand far behind the baseline, but he also likes the ball to travel through the air quickly to rob his opponent’s time. Most of the time he will be in the control of the rally as usual and given his court positions + movement + his opponent’s groundstrokes, it doesn’t affect him nearly as much.
5. Movement
Plain and simple: On clay, at RG, on Chatrier, Rafa is light-years ahead.
In his press conference, Rafa said his plan is not to let Stan hit the ball from good positions. While Stan can be almost as quick as anyone at times and has ATG level groundies, his movement is not. Rafa will frustrate him by running him around trying to deal with his wicked balls, sun loving balls in the extreme heat.
The reason Murray could beat Stan in the semis last year was because he was much more aggressive and confident, running him like a puppet and generally didn’t let him play his game. It was a master class in terms of tactics. He wasn’t this year. Stand smelled his hesitancy and it encouraged him.
But even so it took him 4 hours and a half to finally prevail a nowhere in-form Murray yesterday. Which leads to:
6. Stamina
It rhymes with Staminal :p, but laws of tennis must apply here.
Total time spent on court / total points played:
Rafa: 10 hrs / 765 pts
Stan: 15.3 hrs / 1282 pts
That and the fact that one can ever come out of a 4.5 hr match on clay feeling not exhausted. Stan has about 1.5 days to rest but at he age of 32 it simply won’t be enough.
With no one other than the KOC waiting for him from the side of net in his tomorrow weather, it’s logical to think he will feel rushed wanting to play a relatively “quick” match. Which leads to:
7. Mindset
“Revenge is not part of my vocab.” – Rafa
At this final stage, from what I’ve been observing from the tournament and over the years, and the fact that Rafa has lost the AO final this year when he genuinely had the chance to change history, this time Rafa won’t let the occasion get to him.
He doesn’t make the same mistake twice (okay, that’s only figurative but you get the point). He might get tight and too nervy especially at the beginning, but as the match goes on he will calm down and let himself enjoy the match, his game and his opponent’s game. By his own admission in the AO final he didn’t.
And that’s his downfall, not his game, not Fed new BH and fearlessness.
In short, enjoy himself. Playing quick or leisurely, it doesn’t matter. He he will win and be the most happy sportsman on the planet tomorrow.
But what about Stan?
Well, Stan is unpredictable. Since beating Rafa and Novak at slam finals he has been given the mythical status of “Stanimal were born for slams, and by slams it mean slam finals”.
While that may be true, it could also be true that if Rafa hadn’t get injured at the AO14 final, or if from the other side of the net it had been Fed or even Murray instead of his slam pigeon Novak, he would have remained as a never-have-been Wawa forever.
Of course all those ifs aren’t fair to him or to anyone. He sure has so much talents thought I can’t say the same about his heart in general due to his lack of efforts at almost everywhere except slams. He certainly deserves all the things that he has achieved, inspiring and winning so many fans in the process.
But what I’m trying to say is, I don’t believe in myths. I believe in circumstances.
And now the circumstance is completely different.
Perfect records are made to get broken one day. Well, most of. One will be broken tomorrow. But it won’t be Rafa’s. I truly believe that.
Vamos!
Thanks Rainier. I enjoyed reading that!
Thanks, Susie. Appreciate it. 🙂
Stan on the final tomorrow:
“Mentally, it’s about switching off everything in my body except my brain which I put in winning mode,” he said. “I’m extremely confident about what I do, about how I feel, about all the hard work I have accomplished over the past days, weeks, months, years. I know that mentally when I’m there, it’s difficult to beat me.”
Apparently Stan has been visiting a cryotherapy chamber to accelerate his recovery, which I think probably helped with his match against Andy.
The Article on Rafa:
He bestrides these courts like the minotaur in the centre of the maze.
Approaching the final confrontation, it is wise to ignore the bleached remains of everyone who went before. The odds are just too demoralising.
Yes, it is difficult to beat Wawrinka. But at Roland Garros, it is practically impossible to beat Nadal.
Great piece on video- Eurosport :Commissioner: John McEnroe’s poem (and dab) for Rafael Nadal
Checking in late tonight Maria as I was making the biggest cake you’ve ever seen for a friend. Thanks for the article – I’ve not seen many ‘game, set and Matts’ with the commissioner this tournament. I did catch Johnny Mac as the commisioner once though when he was outraged by Margaret Court’s recent comments and i cant say i blame him – but that was nice about Rafa. Beverley summed up nicely how I feel about the match but I know when it all kicks off I will be as tense as I was in rafa’s semi final. I suppose that’s how many fans will be tomorrow (on both sides) but I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Enjoy.