La Decima - All Hail the King

By the time clay season started, Nadal already lost 3 finals and had 3 losses against Federer. On the other hand, Federer won 3 finals including a grand slam and 2 masters. I was happy to see both of them playing so well. Nadal was having a pretty good season, 3 finals on hard court is something he rarely achieve, so I was hopeful that clay season would help him get back to winning ways. But I was definitely not expecting it to be turn out this way.

First in line was Montecarlo, where he won record 9 times already. This was a title he needed, because getting a 10th here would be perfect start to the clay season. Other than losing a set against Edmund in opening round. He played almost perfect in next 4 matches. 6-1, 6-1 against younger Zverev was just perfection. With Djokovic out in QFs, it was easy enough for Rafa to win SF and finals and get his 10th Montecarlo crown.

 The next step was his home tournament in Barcelona, where he is so popular that the center court bears his name "Pista Rafael Nadal", so definitely losing is not an option in a court named after you. He reached final without losing a set against low ranked opponents, and in final Theim was no match for him, which he won 6-4,6-1. I loved the title ceremony. In addition of playing his 10 wins on large screen, they made a big 10 and placed it in ground. 

Next was Madrid, he has won 4 times here, but it was always tougher than other clay tournaments for him. I was not expecting him to win, but the way he did was amazing. There were no low ranked players - unpredictable Fognini in opener, Kyrgios in second and then Goffin. Semi final against Djokovic, the litmus test, he passed easily with 6-2, 6-4 and then beat Theim again in final for his 5th Madrid title.

After 3 tournament wins, I was seriously hoping that he would withdraw from Rome, to save his energy for Roland Garros, so when he lost against Theim in QF, I actually felt relieved.

And finally the Roland Garros. With his form Nadal was definitely the top contender. He won here with much lesser form than he showed in clay. He just breezed through. His third round opponent, could only get a one game in 3 sets (6-0,6-1,6-0). By the time he reached SemiFinals he just lost 22 games. On the other end was again Dominic Theim, fresh from his win against Djokovic, where he blanked Djokovic in third set. But he was no match for Rafael Nadal at French Open. Nadal won in straight sets and blanked Theim in third set. 

The final against Wawrinka, who won against Murray, could have been trickier, as Wawrinka has won a grand slam final against Nadal before. But with this form it was tough to deny Nadal his La Decima. He won easily with loss of just 6 games.Nadal did not lose a set in whole tournament, just like in 2008 and 2010, when he was crowned number 1.

A grand slam won 10 times, I don't think this would be something anyone would be able to achieve again. The presentation ceremony was fit for such a big moment. The trophy, La Decima video, the big banners with '10' and 'Bravo Rafa', and above all recognizing his coach Tony Nadal by calling him on stage and giving him the replica of the trophy. I always thought that French open presentation ceremonies were kind of bland in comparison with other slams, but this time they really outdid themselves and others.

And for me, this clay season was most amazing. Seeing Nadal once more at top of his game was like a privilege, which i no more thought would come again. Just amazing. A perfect clay season for the king. All hail the King.