Rafael Nadal defies logic with Paris victory

In the final at Roland Garros, the Spaniard thrashed third seed Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3, 6-1. No matter as he broke through for 4-2 and then went to set point in the eighth game after a relentless forehand barrage sapped the will out of Wawrinka. "And for the level of tennis". "I think I'm more unsafe when I mix my game with good services, volleys and strong play from the base line". Nadal said with a smile. "I've always been working hard to do the things I really like". "If I am healthy and I am able to have the right preparation I'll have my chances".

Said Federer: "An unbelievable 10th title at Roland Garros for Rafael Nadal - that will never happen again".

In the new ATP rankings, Nadal moves up two places to No. 2, his highest spot since October 2014.

"For sure he's playing the best he's ever played. For me he's favourite with Federer but Federer won't have the confidence of coming in as French Open champion", Wilander told Reuters.

Moving away from his beloved clay courts and with Federer expected to return to the men's draw, tougher tests lie ahead for the Spaniard on the grass.

On the Olympic stage, Nadal has two golds, one in singles and another in doubles, while Federer has only a doubles silver.

Nadal, who won his 10th French Open title last Sunday, will not feature at the Queen's Club tournament, which starts Monday.

Despite their rivalry on the court, however, both men are deeply respectful of each other, as Federer's tweet proves. Being a tennis player there is nothing better or more wonderful.

Wawrinka has only beaten Nadal once on clay in six meetings. In the French Open 2016, Nadal gave a walk over to his fellow countryman Marcel Granollers in the third round because of a wrist injury.

He said: "I love grass, everybody knows, and it's a surface that I really enjoyed a lot playing on".

"If you're not completely free. you don't want him to take the lead and play even more freely", said Wawrinka, who became US Open champion previous year. "If that happens, why not?"

"If I have pain in my knees, then I know it's nearly impossible".

"I think today, if you play Rafa, if you're not completely free with what you think and what you're gonna do and not completely relaxed the way you're gonna play, you have no chance".