2020 has been a tough year for tennis. After the Australian Open back in January, things quickly turned downhill for the professional circuit with major tournaments being cancelled left and right. Wimbledon was cancelled (the last time the tournament was cancelled was during the Second World War), the ill-fated inaugural Adria Tour was abandoned amidst a COVID-related scandal, and Novak Djokovic was ejected from the US Open after striking a lines judge with an errant ball.
There was, however, one highlight that outshone all the other mishaps and misfortunes that befell the tennis tour this year—Roland Garros 2020.
I am, by most definitions of the term, a Rafael Nadal “groupie.” I remember as a thirteen year old sitting in a pub with my family and watching Nadal jump up into the stands after his 2008 Wimbledon victory over Roger Federer. That was the beginning of what can only be described as a minor obsession, though those around me believe my categorization of this obsession as only “minor” to be wildly inaccurate. While my grandmother referred to Rafa as a “ruffian” for wearing cutoff tees and his trademark pirate shorts on the court, for these same reasons I was awestruck.
Years later I sat in my seat high up in Court Philippe Chatrier as Nadal won his eleventh Roland Garros title. It was only days after I had performed a solo recital in Scotland, a major stepping stone towards completing my graduate program, but somehow that recital meant less to me than Rafa winning his umpteenth slam.
I’m a Federer fan too, but as long as Nadal held any less slam titles than Federer’s current tally of twenty, the “GOAT” discussion always seemed invariably tipped towards Roger rather than Rafa. That is, until October 11.
On that day Rafa reached the summit—twenty grand slam titles—and in doing so he summarily ended any discussion of his being second-best in the history of the game. He thrashed his opponent Novak Djokovic in three brutal sets (6-0, 6-2, 7-5) and, for at least a little while, earned his place standing at the peak of tennis history with his greatest rival—and, strangely enough, close friend—Roger.
Who knows which one will end up with the greater tally of slams? Federer has been taking an extended break during the pandemic, and his last lengthy absence from the game resulted in miraculous wins at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2017. Nadal, however, seems utterly invincible at Roland Garros each year. Yet the incessant “GOAT” conversation at this point is now entirely meaningless. Both players have, on countless occasions, denied time its right to decay their talents. When Roger and Rafa do retire, it is more likely to be out of a desire to open a new chapter in their lives and not due to injury. Until then, all we can do is sit back and revel in our love of the game.