World no 1 Nadal says French Open triumph is the perfect boost ahead of his Wimbledon and US Open title defences
World no 1 Nadal says French Open triumph is the perfect boost ahead of his Wimbledon andu00a0US Open title defences
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World No 1 Nadal equalled Bjorn Borg's record of six Roland Garros titles with a 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, 6-1 win over old rival Roger Federer as he took his career Paris record to 45 victories against just one defeat. It was also his 17th win in 25 meetings against Federer and the perfect tonic as he plans to thwart the Swiss star's hopes of regaining his Wimbledon title next month.
Spain's Rafael Nadalu00a0 with the French Open trophy after beating
Switzerland's Roger Federer in Sunday's final in Paris. PIC/AFP
"The French Open is always the most special tournament for me and it gives me my biggest chance of the year. So if I win here, I know my year is going to be fantastic," said the 25-year-old Spaniard.
"There will be less pressure on me for the remainder of the season. I will have better confidence. To win here is important for every year. When that happens, in general, I always have a successful season."
Twelve months ago Nadal's fifth Roland Garros teed him up for victory at Wimbledon and the US Open.
His confidence for the rest of the year has also been boosted by the manner in which he triumphed on Sunday.
He arrived in Paris having lost four successive Masters finals to Novak Djokovic, the last two of which were on Nadal's beloved clay in Madrid and Rome.
"Every title is special. Sometimes when you have to fight a lot to change things it is even more special," said Nadal, who compared Sunday's tough victory to his 2008 stroll over Federer.
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