He thirteenth title at Roland Garros allows Rafael Nadal (34 years) to be on pole to end his career as the greatest in history, if the number of Grand Slams is taken as a yardstick (20 him and 20 Federer). The braking of Novak Djokovic (33) at Roland Garros to leave him at 17 was vital. The Spanish, with a full career in which he also accumulates five Davis Cups and two Olympic golds, has more challenges ahead.
-Record of Grand Slams.
The race resumes at the Australian Open (January 18-31), where Roger Federer reappears after almost a year of inactivity due to a knee injury. The Swiss has not raised a big one since January 2018 (he played the 2019 Wimbledon final) and in August he turned 39 years old. Time is in Rafa's favor. Against the voracity of Djokovic, who has taken five of the last nine greats.
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-1,000 wins.
It is the most immediate, and you will reach them if you participate in Paris-Bercy (October 31-November 8) and win a match. With 201 defeats in his entire career, his effective is 83.3%. He has won 86 titles, but is well ahead of Jimmy Connors (109) and Federer (103). Closer to and above him is Ivan Lendl (94).
-ATP Finals.
It is the mole in Nadal's career. He has played two finals in the masters tournament (2010 and 2013), but he has lost six editions due to physical problems since 2005. The indoor fast track at the end of the year has always caused him problems. Federer has six Masters and Djokovic has five.
-Recover number one.
Nadal has led the ATP rankings in eight periods since 2008, for a total of 209 weeks. Now, Djokovic takes 1,890 points from him and has made sure to finish the year up. From the calendar until the end of the year of the two will depend on whether Australia is decisive or not (Nadal fell in the quarterfinals and the Serbian won).
-Masters 1,000.
The Spaniard skipped Cincinnati and Roma as a precaution, won by Djokovic, who was placed with 36 by 35 from Nadal. The Serbian has won all nine, but Rafa is missing Miami and Paris in his record.