Rafael Nadal is right back where he wants to be heading into the French Open.
He won his 34th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title on Sunday when he beat world number one Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 for a record ninth Italian Open title.
It was the 81st title of his career and the 51st at either Masters 1000 level, at the Grand Slams or ATP Finals.
It was Rafa’s first clay court final win over Djokovic since the 2014 French Open. It was the 54th meeting between the two rivals, and Djokovic now leads 28-26.
This was their eighth meeting in Rome, and their fifth in the final. Rafa now leads Djokovic 5-3 in Rome, and 3-2 in finals there.
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Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their ATP Masters tournament final tennis match at the Foro Italico in Rome on May 19, 2019. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)
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Rafael Nadal (SPA) celebrates the victory in his Mens Final match against Novak Djokovic (SRB) during Internazionali BNL D’Italia Italian Open at the Foro Italico, Rome, Italy on 19 May 2019. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Rafael Nadal, right, of Spain embraces Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the end of their final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Sunday, May 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the end of their final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Sunday, May 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the end of their final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Sunday, May 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Very well played match you well deserved to win, congratulation and don’t be surprised playing hard and win Rome 12th time you good and I know you can do it
OMG my blood pressure is not good when watching my hero Rafa. So pleased for you ,especially when you beat Novak. Well done and now off to Paris xx
Congratulations Rafa. You are the champ. From : All the South Africans that loves you. ❤️❤️
Well played Rafa!! You proved them all wrong yet again. Very very happy to see you playing so well and holding the trophy!
Amazing! 😍😃👏🏻 – Sooo happy for you Rafa 🥰 You did it 🤗
A huge Congratulations to you champ 😘👑🏆🎊🤩💐👍🏻
Yay!!!!!
So unbelievably happy!
Outstanding performance Rafa
Today Rafa showed how invincible he could be when he is 100 % fit.
King of clay now and forever
We love you Rafa
Vamoooos
I am so happy for you ❤ well doen champion, see you in Paris
Congratulations Rafa! Great to see you feeling good, playing great, true champion.. Much love from Nebraska!
God bless you Rafa. Hold onto your health (that’s the main thing) and of course your confidence and self belief. Love you. Marylynn
ENHORABUENA!!!! RAFA.. Por ese torneo tan bien jugado a ese nivel y por ese trofeo d campeón… OK OK OK…
Cuanta alegria m da d verte jugar así d verte bien… K siguas así y suerte para Rolang Garrós…
SIEMPRE CONTIGO VAMOSSS!!!!
Fantastic! Way to win it Rafa!
First set, he showed Djoker who’s boss!
Second set, he made Djoker think he had a chance:)
Third set, he closed it out in style. Well done Rafa!
I am so happy for Rafa to beat Novak. For some strange reason, I don’t like Novak much, and more so him beating Rafa. Lately, i am not watching tennis anymore when Rafa kept on losing the last tournaments.
Rafa!!!. por siempre y para siempre!
YOU DID IT. So happy for you and very proud❤️ Take rest and confidence out of it. Can’t wait for the French Open. Always with you. Vamos Rafa <3
So happy for You dear Rafa
CONGRATULATIONS Rafa🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🤗👏👏👏👏
RAFA ROCKS
Yes Enhorabuena 😃😆👑 Rafael Nadal ! I am going to write to him in Spanish as he gavé us the pleasure I asked for. 😉 I have already toasted him with a glass of sangria 🍷On Friday prayed for him in a church and it was answered ☺ Today praying while following the score in the DM site 😯 I can imagine this evening in Manacor there will be la fiesta in the bars in the centre 🍷🍻 for their local celebrity . 😃😂😍😆👑 Fiona in Paris
Hi Margo!
Rafa TOTALLY ROCKS! 🎾💪🏼😃🏆👑👏🏻😍🤗🎊🍾
Hi back @ you Rafantastic. It’s a wunderbar day. I forgave Rafa after his win for making me suffer🤗
I hope this win is a sign that he has turned the tables on Djokovic.
I am so enjoying this Masters trophy… as if it were mine LOL
Rafa TOTALLY ROCKS
By the way…..
I’m sooooo pleased for Rafa. He refused to lose. That should be a great confidence boost for him going into the FO. Bye the way Rafa, you owe your mate Diego a drink! 😀
Lorna, don’t forget del Potro as he also helped.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Sure. Much respect to Delpo who played his part too. 👍🏼
Lorna, I read that the French Open will have 16 seeded players instead of 32 making the first few rounds more challenging for the top players. Do you have any information on that? I don’t usually worry about draws but this is raising my anxiety level.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Fantastic great fabulous you did it Rafa I am so happy for u 🎉💕❤️❤️👍👌🏆💐💐💐💐💐
Champion❤❤❤