Top seed Rafael Nadal extended his record number of Barcelona titles to 12 as he brushed off a slow start and shaky finish of the second set to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-7 on Sunday. It was Rafa’s second victory against Tsitsipas in the Barcelona Open final.
Our champ now has 87 titles overall while his career clay-court match record stands at 448 wins against just 41 defeats.
The victory, which took three hours 38 minutes, gave Rafa his 61st clay-court title and came against an in-form opponent who had won his maiden Masters crown in Monte Carlo last week.
“Winning the trophy here means a lot,” said Rafa who had only lost one set in 11 previous finals in the Spanish city.
“I have been increasing my level and this was an important victory for me.”
Four years ago, the centre court was renamed in the Spaniard’s honour as ‘Pista Rafa Nadal. No player has won an ATP 500-level tournament on more occasions.
Congrats Rafa. You are the best of all the best!! Stay healthy and God bless.
Vamos Rafael … another amazing match you and Stefanos gave to us … congrats also to Stefanos
Rafa u r that dude. I ve followed u for a long time and u have gotten better with age. Lets take Paris and Rome by storm. VAMOS!!!!
Great performance, great match, wonderful to watch, one unbelievable tennis player Rafael Nadal.
CONGRATULATIONS dear Rafa.💐💐💐 Happy to see you lift the trophy 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆, n bite into it. It is a pity here in India we did not get see the match, I just followed the scores. Super happy for you. Hard work always pays off.
Love you Rafa. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Rafa this was an amazing match to watch. Two of my favorite players on one court. So happy for you.
Tsitipas is lucky to have played 3 sets! Rafa had him in 2!!!Vamos Rafa Vamos!!!!!
Congratulations Champ
Well done Rafa!! So stressful to watch, was so rewarding!!!!
I was exhausted after 3 3/4 hours of watching, never mind playing! Wonderful match from both of them.
Amén to that. Blind fans never appreciate the sport and follow only the cult of personality will never understand just how close this match was. Rafa raised his level when required, but this was nip and tuck all the way. The difference between the two was one point, i think and while i believe rafa should have won in straight sets, Tsitsipas was gutsy and clutch when he saved 2 championship points, as was rafa. He was somewhat fortunate with the net cord but delivered when it mattered.
Congratulations Rafa! You truly are the best ever! You are always respectful, intense and play every point with 100%
energy and passion! Thank you for being someone we all can admire and honor! Carole Braine
Rafa, you are so deserving of Trophy no. 12 from Barcelona. I was on the edge of my seat head in hands afraid to watch 3rd set. Rafa you never fail to amaze me with your determination, when facing a tricky end . You are the King of Clay. 12 Barcelona 13 Roland Garros…Vamos
Congrats Rafa. This was an incredibly hard fought match. Literally nip and tuck. He should have won in straight sets but great effort from Tsitsipas to push him all the way. Well done.
Great match, Rafa, many congrats!! Barcelona is truly your place of power. 🙂 I needed this! Thank you.
GOD BLESS YOU, RAFA. ONCE AGAIN YOU HAVE PROVEN, YOU ARE PAR EXCELLENCE A GOOD AND MOTIVATED TENNIS OF ALL TIME. CONTINUE BEING A HUMBLE PERSON. LOVE IT.