Is Rafael Nadal's decade long dominance at the clay courts of Roland Garros coming to a close? Despite his shocking straight sets defeat in the quarterfinal to world no.1 Novak Djokovic, the Spanish legend believes he can still return stronger and secure his much cherished 10th French Open Trophy next year. Djokovic eliminated the reigning champion 7-5, 6-3, 6-1.
"I accept the defeats and there is only one sure thing: I want to work harder even than before to come back stronger," Nadal said following the match. "I am going to fight. I lost in 2009 and it was not the end. I lost in 2015 and it is not the end. I hope to be back here next year with another chance.
The nine time French Open champion sees this loss as merely "a chink in the armor" and a "blip on the radar." But concedes that Djokovic was the better man on the Court Philippe Chatier. "He was better than me. That's it. It's very simple," he said. "When one opponent is playing better than you and is in better shape than you that can happen." Said Nadal.
Djokovic stifled Nadal throughout the match, notching 45 winners to Nadal's 16. Nadal could only conjure three winners from signature left handed forehand, one of Tennis' most iconic shots.
Nadal lost at Roland Garros for just the second time in his illustrious, hall of fame career. His first defeat came at the hands of Robin Soderling in 2009. The loss snaps his 39 match winning streak at clay's most prestigious tournament. This season marks the first time the 29 year old has failed to bag a European clay court crown.
Djokovic will face world no. 3 in the semis as he looks to complete a career grand slam.