Is Rafael Nadal the greatest to have ever played men's tennis?

22 Grand Slams. 14 French Open titles. His records are just unbelievable. Even the hardcore Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic fans would accept that Rafael Nadal is now the greatest men’s tennis player of all time.

On Sunday, 36-year-old Nadal won 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 against Norwegian Casper Ruud to become the oldest male champion at Roland Garros. His victory comes 17 years to the day since he claimed his first French Open as a 19-year-old in 2005.

The final was just too easy for Nadal. But reaching here was not. A month back he was struggling with a serious foot injury. But his relentlessness and never-say-die attitude has taken him to another Grand Slam title.

1️⃣4️⃣✖️2️⃣2️⃣??

Catch up on all the best moments of another legendary performance from @RafaelNadal with our Day 15 Highlights by @emirates #RolandGarros | #EmiratesFlyBetterMoments pic.twitter.com/efIV6i37bJ

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022

The Spaniard won the last 11 games of the final and is now two Slams ahead of rivals Djokovic and Federer.

We take a look at Nadal’s 21-year career and try to decide if he is the greatest ever to have played the game.

EARLY LIFE

• Born in Manacor, Spain, Nadal was introduced to tennis by his uncle, Toni. He played a great part in Nadal's career and can always be in his box during tournaments.
• Nadal turned professional in 2001 and won the junior Davis Cup with Spain in 2002. He went on to win the ATP newcomer of the year in 2003.

2005 ⏩ 2022#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/BXhCQAIXO3

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022

• He won his first ATP singles title in 2004 and defeated world number two Andy Roddick to guide Spain to the Davis Cup title the same year.
• In 2005, the 19-year-old won the French Open on debut becoming the youngest player to win the Roland Garros title.

JOURNEY TO THE TOP

• Since winning his first ATP title in 2004 to clinching the 22nd Grand Slam in 2022, one thing that has never changed is his hard work and physical dominance on the court. In 2005, Federer had 6 Slams and Nadal had one, in 2007, Federer had already won 12 Grand Slam titles and Nadal was at three.
• But by 2020, both Nadal and Federer were at level with 20 Slams each. In these 13 years (2007 to 2020), Nadal became one of the greatest players of all time and got the status of almost being invincible at the French Open.
• In 2007, Nadal became the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win a hat-trick of French Open titles.

2️⃣2️⃣ in '22 -- a look back at how @RafaelNadal reached a new record for career Grand Slams:

1️⃣4️⃣ #RolandGarros
2️⃣ @Wimbledon
4️⃣ @usopen
2️⃣ @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/hq1HPD9uRL

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022

• After his clay court domination, Nadal went on to win the Wimbledon title in 2008 with a five-set win over Roger Federer.
• He won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in singles and clinched the doubles gold at the 2016 Rio Games.
• In 2014, he became the first man to win five successive French Open titles.

Find someone who looks at you the way Rafa looks at the Coupe des Mousquetaires ?#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/2ajSJ4aPyb

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022

• By 2020, he had matched Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam titles by defeating Djokovic in the French Open final. In the same year, Nadal got his 1,000th victory on the ATP Tour.
• After struggling with several injuries, Nadal made a brilliant comeback as he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final to win record 21st Grand Slam title before winning the 14th French Open title and his 22nd Slam in June 2022.

LEGEND OF FRENCH OPEN

Nadal's record at the Roland Garros is just unbelievable. Out of the 115 matches he has played here, Nadal has won 112 and lost just 13. Pete Sampras, who was considered the greatest men's tennis player before Federer, Nadal and Djokovic's dominance started, has as many Grand Slams as the Spaniard has French Open titles.

Even during his toughest years, when Nadal was struggling everywhere else, he pulled off victories at the French Open. Also, he has never lost a final at the Roland Garros.

All the emotions for No.14 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/nS0dz80ONt

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022

There is a special connection between Nadal and the French Open, and he even calls it his second home.

Even if he doesn't win any other Grand Slam now, Nadal's incredible legacy is going to live on. And so will his records Federer is already 40 years old and has not been playing for some time. And it's highly unlikely that he will win another Grand Slam. The only player who can break his record in the near future is Djokovic, who has 20 Slams and is 35 years old. But for that to happen he will have to play really well and make sure Nadal does not win another Slam.

But until then: Rafael Nadal is the GOAT!