Rafael Nadal won his 11th Barcelona title on Sunday when he breezed past Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-1 in the final.
It was world number one Nadal’s 55th career clay-court final while he also extended his winning streak on the surface to 46 consecutive sets.
The 31-year-old Spaniard won his 11th Monte Carlo Masters last weekend while Sunday’s victory also reinforced his status as the overwhelming favourite to lift the French Open for an 11th time in June.
Even though there’s nothing unusual about the Spaniard sweeping titles at this time of the year, Sunday’s title win made people drop their jaw at the champion’s consistency on clay.
There are some numbers and reactions for you to see. But before that, here’s the king of clay celebrating with a traditional dive into a swimming pool at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.
Here's the moment you've all been waiting for...@RafaelNadal #bcnopenbs pic.twitter.com/9Fx8QBrmZj
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 29, 2018
There was some champagne splash as well.
Champagne celebration and lovely moment between @RafaelNadal and @StefTsitsipas.#bcnopenbs pic.twitter.com/HBu2F7kfOS
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 29, 2018
Rafa among an elite company:
Rafael Nadal's 77 titles...
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 29, 2018
55 - Clay
18 - Hard
4 - Grass
1️⃣1️⃣ Barcelona titles
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) April 29, 2018
1️⃣9️⃣ wins in a row on clay
4️⃣6️⃣ sets in a row on clay
7️⃣7️⃣ @ATPWorldTour titles
And still No.1️⃣ in the world...@RafaelNadal beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-1 to win the Barcelona Open. https://t.co/e6MERvpt0f
"It's very difficult to describe how to win 11 titles at one tournament. To win 11 Monte-Carlo's and 11 Barcelona's is something I couldn't imagine doing." - @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/SzuzlbHuBw
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) April 30, 2018
“Rafael Claydal”
19 straight match wins on clay.
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 29, 2018
46 straight set wins on clay.
Rafael Claydal....@RafaelNadal #bcnopenbs pic.twitter.com/oXQmxjX7DE
Rafael Nadal's last 42 sets on clay:
— Team FA (@TeamFA) April 27, 2018
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
It. Will. Never. End. pic.twitter.com/sifCeTNGEJ
Truer words have never been spoken:
clay season more like come get a free tennis lesson from rafael nadal season
— #1 (@madridnadal) April 29, 2018
We’re (again) witnessing something extraordinary on the red clay: @RafaelNadal now 46 straight sets won! Losing an AVG of <2.1 GAMES PER SET! Not impossible to make it 87 straight w/ Madrid,Rome,Paris sweep! (But best thing for French chances probably to lose earlier in Rome?)
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) April 29, 2018
The bigger problem for the King of Clay is to lift a trophy than win it! 😉
— Tennis Photos (@tennis_photos) April 29, 2018
Felicidades @RafaelNadal! 🏆🇪🇸🎾 pic.twitter.com/J4TSUZKf7P
Some good news for those of you who don't like Rafael Nadal...he won't be winning anything for at least 8 or 9 days...
— jimmy soixante-dix (@hotdog6969) April 29, 2018
Im actually so buzzed that @RafaelNadal won Barcelona. 2nd 11th tourney in a row. WOW. Some guys on the tour will never win 11 in their entire career.
— Char (@ThisIsCMack) April 30, 2018