Rafael Nadal was scared of cramps with 11th French Open in sight

  • Jepher Christopher Nickels
  • Paris
  • June 10, 2018
  • UPDATED: June 10, 2018 22:51 IST

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Rafael Nadal suffered a cramp to his left wrist in 3rd set
  • Nadal defeated Thiem 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 in the French Open final
  • Nadal won his 11th title at Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal will remain at the top of the ATP rankings (Reuters Photo)
Rafael Nadal will remain at the top of the ATP rankings (Reuters Photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Rafael Nadal suffered a cramp to his left wrist in 3rd set
  • Nadal defeated Thiem 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 in the French Open final
  • Nadal won his 11th title at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal admitted that he was "very scared" after he suffered a cramp to his left wrist during the third set of the French Open final against Dominic Thiem on Sunday.

Nadal won the first two sets and was leading 2-1 in 3rd when he suffered a cramp which required immediate medical timeout.

He was heard saying, "I can't move my fingers, sorry" to the match referee before he was attended by the trainer.

"I was very scared," Nadal said of his wrist cramp.

Nadal, however, soon recovered to complete the match under overcast conditions.

Top seed Nadal defeated seventh seed Thiem 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 at the Philippe-Chatrier Court to lift a record-extending 11th title at Roland Garros.

Rafael Nadal suffered a cramp which required immediate medical timeout (Reuters Photo)

The 32-year-old Spaniard clinched his 17th Grand Slam title, which moves him within three of Roger Federer (20).

"It's amazing, I can't describe my feelings because it's not even a dream to win here 11 times. It's impossible to think something like this," Nadal said after the match.

Ken Rosewall, who won the title in 1953 and 1968, presented Nadal with the trophy.

Tears welled in the eyes of the now 11-time champion as he was applauded by the crowd.

Nadal, in an on-court interview, also said he's sure that runner-up Thiem will win the tournament in "the next couple of years".

"He's very aggressive, with big shots. I want to say well played to Dominic. He played a great two weeks. He's a good friend, one of these players that the tour needs. I am sure you'll win here in the next couple of years," he said.

Nadal became the second player in tennis history to win 11 singles titles at any Grand Slam tournament after Margaret Court, who claimed 11 Australian Open titles.

Nadal will remain at the top of the ATP rankings ahead of Roger Federer. Nadal and Federer have won the past six Grand Slam tournaments between them.

"Many thanks. I hope to see you again next year," he told the crowd.

(With inputs from AP)

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