Rafael Nadal: Most Dominating Tournament Ever (French Open 2008) 

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French open definition: it is a Tenis tournament where about 200 players play their best between them to see who will lose the final against Rafa Nadal.

"He will win 40 Roland Garros, he will be winning it until he is 65" -> Nicolas Almagro The Wise (2008)

Nadal at the French Open is possibly the greatest feat an athlete has ever accomplished. Talk about domination. 13 titles in 16 seasons!!

8:00 "He's gonna win Roland Garros 40 times in a row" Everyone in 2008: "Obviously that's an exaggeration". Everyone in 2020: *pauses to consider the possibility*

This version of Rafa in 2008, was speed, power, & precision in perfect sync. The mental toughness & desire always there. No player on the planet past, present, or future could have beaten this version. look at how Rafa destroyed, and I mean destroyed, Roger & Novak. No one has ever been so dominant on a surface like Rafa is on clay. He isn't human at times.

5:02 The commentator says: "...dominant performance from the best clay court player, maybe of all time." He didn't realize that time in 2008 how damn right he was.

Absolutely nothing beats this Nadal. Not any version of Djokovic, Wawrinka, anyone. Stupidly unplayable level

Mix in 2019 serve, 2017 tactics and 2008 form and we have the greatest version of Nadal on clay

This is tennis at its peak. No one could be as good as rafa in 2008. It was literally torture to play against him at french open. His speed, power, movment, accuracy and brutality in his game made him different beast all together.

14 years later, still winning RG at the age of 36, he is simply phemomeNADAL

Rafa didn't just defeat his opponents, he crushed their will and their minds... What a sensational run

Almagro was a very good clay court player and yet he basically quit mid match saying it was impossible to play Nadal on clay and that he would be champ for next 40 years that sums up how incredible Rafa at this time was

Nadal is incredible to watch. I sit for hours watching match recaps of Nadal. He is The King!

Almagro was like wtf am i playing against. Did they switch the level to very very hard

12 years later Nadal Bagelled another number one in French Open Final. The best thing is it came in first set itself.

I would argue that Nadal's 2008 RG final is the most dominating final whereas the 2017 RG run is arguably the greatest grand slam performance. Both titles were won without dropping a set, but in 2017, his opponents never scored more than 4 games during any set. EDIT: Thanks for all the likes. I definitely agree with the points saying that his 2008 run was the best. Both the 2008 and 2017 performances were phenomenal. To me, he was the more experienced and complete player in 2017 which offset his older age and weaker physical strength.

I disagree given the circumstances of playing the French Open in mid October in 2020, demolishing Djokovic in the process has to be his finest and dominating performance at Roland Garros ever. Many thought including me, winning this edition, given his total lack of match practice would be a step too far. Instead the greatest ever clay court player ever to play the game, won yet again without dropping a set. In 2008 he was at the peak of powers in 2020 he dominated his opponents long after his peak. Indeed this performance is the greatest ever in the sport, defied age and his own expectations - GOAT ps I’m a die hard Fed fan. But this awesome sheer brilliance has blown me away. Rafa you are a GOAT.

LOL Almagro has the best reaction. His face was like "Could we just finish this match right now?". I laugh so hard :))))

I don’t seem to tire from watching Nadal playing. I have been watching AO 2022 final at least ten times. After yesterday’s match against Djokovic I have already watched again twice. No one player has the captivated the tennis fans imagination as much as Nadal. We admire his humility, we love watching him as all-conquering human beast all over the court and we jubilate with him in his victory. Vamos Nadal......the GOAT!

The ability to make your opponent think “Whats the point of playing” - Nadal at Roland Garros

Totally devastating the power in his movements that Nadal had at that time.His attitude was intractable. Bravo Rafa, your tennis was in a level never seen before, there is no one like you.

I always use this tournament as a reference point to how incredible Nadal played. It was absolute destruction, he bageled 3 sets, 1 including the final against Fed which was just insane. 9 sets were 6-1 and he fought through both Djokovic and Federer. Every player he played against were crushed. It was unfortunate that the year after he lost to Soderling but he came back again with the 2010 win.

What's even more amazing is that he goes on to win Wimbledon right after this. What a year 08 was for Rafa. Basically the passing of the torch year.

i remember that green uniform, this was brutuful from nadal, this was the best nadal ever played at roland garros, he made federer and djokovic look like challenger tennis players.

Haha Almagro just wanted off the court. Every point he just looked so defeated, like he had no idea what was going on 🤣

No surprise Roger lost after that one in Wimbledon, imagine how confident Rafa was feeling...

Imagine getting to a Grand Slam quarter final, and only picking up three games in three sets, I'd start second guessing myself, haha. Poor Almagro. From like April to August this year Nadal just went on a mad run. Won Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Hamburg, French Open, Queens, Wimbledon, Toronto, Olympics.

Even 2017 is also a great domination.

Nadal's 2008 RG campaign was just scary, 2010, 2017 or 2019 don't even come close to this Nadal, he was a ferocious beast who played even better than in 2007, b y this time he developed fast and relentless all court game with even more lethal (if that was possible) top spin forehand and more offensive mindset and that proved to be the key for his total dominance at RG, Queens and later Wimbledon (Federer was able to make it to five sets in the final due his excellent service disposition, but Nadal was dominant in the rallies); I watched four of Nadal's matches from this edition of RG campaign (against Nieminen, Almagro, Djokovic and Federer) and the higlights don't really capture the feeling of utter helplessness on behalf of his opponents that were just getting obliterated with each punishing blistering forehand or backhand pass; semifinal against Djoko was the biggest challenge for Nadal and you could already see that Nadal wouldn't have it easy against the stubborn Serbian in the future, Djoko even broke Nadal when he was serving for the match, but could not handle the pressure from the Spaniard in the ensuing tie-break

He has won it 14 times now. Unbelievable.

This is where Nadal was entering his prime. After this he went on to win Wimbledon 2008 and Aus open 2009, both against Federer in finals.

That was truly peak Nadal, unplayable on clay. His prime went from 2005 to 2013, peaking in 2008 and 2010. The longest I've ever seen, and only interrupted because of injuries, considering Federer's prime between MC 2003-2007 and Djokovic's weird 2007-08 and 2011-RG 2016.

(Nicolás Almagro during a match against Rafa says...) Is going to win 40 RGarros...is going to be 65 and still will be winning Roland Garros...unbelievable...

Nadal was epic with that outfit/long hair-combo!

Maximum Rafa- crazy power and court coverage- unstoppable!

He didnt even went down when he won the final. Unreal to win a Grand Slam not only defeating, but humiliating prime Federer and rising Djokovic. Surreal.

Wrap your head around this: This is the highest level of tennis anyone has ever played at any point since the existence of tennis. Amazing.

It's 2022 and this legend has 14* Roland Garros. Simply brilliant

Rafa was so dominant at this tournament that I lowkey felt bad for the players.

This version would win any version of any tennis player of history.

I remember clearly this tournament. This is, for me already, prime Rafa. At least on clay. The shots are flatter, closer to the line, backhand is a weapon and the net game improve. All of this while mantaining what made him triumph initially in this surface mega top spin forehead, stamina, drop shots, etc. He was starting to really focusing in conquering the others surfaces and has adjusted his game. The final was a no-show. After this FO edition I think many start to questioning how on earth he would lose in Roland Garros... Well, he lost the next year but last week won by the 14th time!!! Alien stuff.

Lejos están esos tiempo, pero la leyenda nunca morirá y dudo q alguien iguale a Nadal en tierra

For me 2008 and 2017 level was highest level if we consider entire tournament. Only final wise 2008,2017 and 2020 are pretty close. What makes 2020 more special is the opponent, closed roof, weather and change balls and conditions.

Incredible!!!! The 2020's version was also brutal. Very funny reaction from Almagro :)

2008 Nadal.... is the best tennis player of all time.... imposible to keep that form....

Rafa sigue ganando campeonatos ya por experiencia, tiene una lesión ya congénita en el pie, la forma física ya está muy justa pero su sabiduría hace que aún pueda seguir ganando, es un extraterrestre

A veces no se tiene idea de la dimensión y la trascendencia de alguien o algo cuando nos acostumbramos a ello. A mi se quieren salir los ojos cuando leo comentarios "SOBRE TODO DE ESPAÑOLES" que no dan el mérito y que mas bien menosprecian a este super humano que tiene un espíritu de competencia y superación que dentro del deporte sólo he visto en Michael Jordan. Alguien a quien en su adolescencia le dijeron que no podría competir al máximo nivel debido a su lesión crónica dicho sea de paso en las rodillas (Nadal a jugado todos los partidos de su vida con molestias en las rodillas) que afortunadamente no dañaron su espíritu de lucha y que supo canalizar hasta acostumbrarse a eso para dejar de ser víctima de su dolor y apoderarse de el. Rafael Nadal me ha dado algunos de los momentos más vibrantes que yo haya vivido frente a una pantalla e incluso fuera de ella. Nunca perdí ni perderé tiempo discutiendo con nadie por la cuestión de qué tenista es mas grande simplemente disfrutaré lo poco que le queda a Rafa de carrera y su competencia infinita con otros 2 mostruos que llegaron a este mundo en la misma nave espacial que Rafa para hacernos delirar. Saludos desde Costa Rica.

If Federer is the Genius and Novak being the great returner could be called The Wall, Rafa is The Imposer. Rafa is not reactive, he imposes his will and commands the game. RAFA IS THE GOAT. At his peak no one stands a chance (excuse me Goran). 2008 (for me is Rafa's peak) was the year Rafa also won Wimbledon and it continued in the first month of 2009 when he won AO. If he was not injured in FO 2009 he could have ruled the tennis world 3 consecutive years 2008 (FO & W), 2009 (only AO), 2010 (FO, W, USO). Here's hoping that 2021 clay season will be another great one for Rafa as per Uncle Toni. Praying. Vamos!

Highest level of tennis ever displayed from the highest level player🐐

Thank you rafa for the most BEAUTIFUL tennis ever VAMOS RAFA 👏👏👏

That forehand, compared to the one we see today, was brutal. Such spin and power and depth..holy hell..

La mejor versión de un tenista en toda la historia.

Un grand merci pour cet excellent travail. Quelle performance ! 12 ans après dans des conditions difficiles il est toujours là.....Vaamosss

2022 French open is waiting for Nadal for his 14th title.

Vaya locura cuando era joven, se fulminaba en 3 sets a Almagro, bueno era normal, pero a Federer y Djokovic por entonces, y con golpes calculados e imposibles además arriesgando. Y con 36 años aún sigue ganando Roland Garrós. Creo que juega o gana ahora Wimblendon y se retira o no sé.. es increíble. No sabemos lo que tenemos ahora con él en el deporte del tenis. Disfrutemos al máximo. Gracias Rafa.

Insane agility, focus, energy, defence, offence, power, depth, precision, angles. This version of Nadal is probably the greatest tennis player of all time (USO 2010 Nadal is up there too). He demolished the entire field.

This Nadal is the greatest tennis player ever,jaw dropping player,strong,fast,just dominant in every aspect of the game unbeatable,Destruction,I feel soory for players who played against this version of Nadal. If you ask me wich player I would pick in prime,of course Nadal without a doubt.

those shots man, 2 meters bounces, so much speed, this nadal was something else, nuclear bombs every shot

Interestingly, Nadal in his first 4 matches of this tournament had to play against a lefty player. Wonder if that happened to anybody else on tour all these years, ever.

Playing this nadal in rg has to be a living nightmare, the intensity he puts in every point would break anyone

As a French guy, I d propose to rename Roland garros nadal’s tournament… btw did you know they established a statue of nadal in front of the principal court of Roland garros that’s a definition of power

Damn his forehand was insane in this video, so much power and control, its impeccable

Look at the trajectory of that ball at 2:39. That ball is going straight into the corner with huge topspin. So heavy. How do you play offense against Nadal on this surface?

Nadal in his prime has this uncanny ability to create like 20 incredible highlights per match. Like some of these points I’ve never really seen un highlight compilations of Nadal but they’re incredible. Also, Nadal’s backhand in 2008 was probably the best it’s ever been

This is superhuman and I'm not convinced there's another word to describe it. "C'est pas possible"

Madre mía...Nadal a 1000% x 1000% , es brutal verlo jugar, no me canso nunca .

A very similar dominiation is Federer's 2007 Australian Open > not dropping a single set either > same helpless reaction from the opponents, especially Roddick in the semis.

A year later, at the Australian Open, they played an incredibly well-matched semi-final, 5.5 hours at 35 degrees

Brutal nobody beats this Nadal in this form

Thank you for posting this great rivalry between the Goats, much appreciated ❤

Cuantas alegrias nos has dado Rafa!! 💪🏼🇪🇸🎾❤️

His first 4 opponents were lefties. Damn.

The ultimate grinder..and a great shot maker as well!

That forehand down the line - it is what Carlitos needs to find to become a terror on clay. As long as he doesn't have that shot with any consistency, he will be vulnerable.

Don't believe them when they say baguettes are popular in Paris. Rafa mostly offers bagels and bread sticks in his house

Wow-Rafa was smoking everyone that year!!!

2017 nadal was the best for me period. Lot of injuries and frustration but he came back as a Phoenix. If u see the final stan was playing good but Rafa was in beast mode. See the reactions of stan u know what I mean. Vamos rafa And I'm a die hard rafa fan.

Rafa was such a beast in this tournament crushing everyone in his path. Djoker did well to get to set point in the 3rd set of their semi.

Technically the 2017 French Open was the most dominant, (in terms of games the champion lost) but the level of competition in this tournament definitely makes it the most dominated.

Almagro played great against Nadal here - winning a game in every set! And yes - I'm not ironic. It is something special.

Increíble. Le pasó por encima a todos sus rivales incluido Nole y Roger, en modo apisonadora

I love how Djoko always acknowledges a great point. Even when losing

Rafa is the greatest tennis player of all time.

While Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic seem to have had a similar degree of hopelessness, Nicholas Almagro was smart to have just made the fun out of it!

Seems like just the other day. And just the other day Rafa won his 13th French Open and 20th Grand slam in same dominating fashion 😂!!!! VAMOS GOATdal!!!!!

2017 was even better, he didn't drop a set and wasn't taken to a tiebreaker at any stage

When Nicolas Almagro said that “Rafa will win 40 of these, he’ll win till he’s 65” or something like that, Rafa still had 3 Roland Garros titles. Here were are as of 2020 and he won 10 more. I don’t doubt he can win 15. Another fun stat. In the final vs Federer he gave up a total of 4 games in 3 sets. Fast forward to 2020 again and he gave up 7 games total in the final vs Djokovic. He also threw in a bagel in this final as well. 🥯

Even with clay advantage, Rafa has razor sharp precision.👏👏👏

Oh my.....no one can break nadal`s achievement at Frenchopen.

Wat a court coverage n analysis...Won this season without a set loss..probably average of only 5-6 games lost per game..tats insane dominance...

#2051 : I came from the future just to cofirm Almagro's prediction RAFA won the RG final against ALACARAZ.Jr

No tennis player has reached the level of Nadal at his best.

Okay first of all this was 2008. He was unbeatable anywhere at this period. When he was that young, he could destroy anyone. He beat Roger at Wimbledon, who was also 13 years younger than he is now and Nadal also got him again at the AO next year when Roger just broke in tears in frustration.. Winning in 5 after winning in 5 less than 24 hrs ago against Verdasco in an epic semifinal. He was eating Grand Slam titles on ALL 3 surfaces like breakfast cereal at that period. Age plays a role. Secondly, Bellucci's luck seems to be that of a person who never scores 2 or >2 numbers at any lottery ticket. It's always one number or none. He wasn't a bad player but his first rounds were almost always a no hope win draw. Jeeesus, that must have been frustrating, considering the training it takes to get to the pro tour.

I remember the final killed me… big RF fan but Rafa was so superior that year… incredible

Nobody in the universe, not even today's most advanced AI machine, can beat this 2008 Nadal on clay. Just unbeatable. Power, speed, court coverage, anticipation, ball placements, tactic --- he got them all. Anyone who wants to be the best on clay, just need to study this Nadal. Otherworldly unbelievable! He made his opponents look like newbies.

If Nadal had had a good serve he would have won 40 Grand Slams

People might think its power but the genius here is accuracy

... ok... this was WILD! These were quality opponents...

This is insane! My respects!