Finally, a title for Rafael Nadal this year.
Nadal beat his greatest rival Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 on Sunday to win a ninth Italian Open title and a record 34rd Masters, leaving his vanquished foe to label the Spaniard as “the number one favourite for Roland Garros”.
World number one Djokovic produced an error-strewn performance in his 54th meeting with second-ranked Nadal, who claimed the 81st title of his career.
It was Nadal’s first clay-court victory over the Serb since the 2014 French Open.
Read - Rafael Nadal geared up for French Open after clinching Italian Open crown
Nadal had earlier pulled out of Indian Wells with a knee injury and had not gotten past the semi-finals in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.
But after lifting his first title of the season, the 32-year-old has returned to his best form ahead of Roland Garros.
With the win, Nadal also overtook Djokovic at the top of the list for most Masters wins.
And Twitter was happy that the Spaniard was back to his best.
Here are some of the reactions:
Celebrate with @RafaelNadal 🍾
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) May 19, 2019
What’s your GIF reaction to his #ibi19 title? 😅👇 pic.twitter.com/fJcBqoSHAm
Masters 1000 finals all-time
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 18, 2019
Nadal - 50 👏
Federer - 50
Djokovic - 48
Agassi - 22
Murray - 21
Sampras - 19
Becker - 11
Muster - 10
Kuerten - 10
Chang/Roddick/Edberg - 9
Bravo @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/fCnanepAie
Ladies and Gents.... #Nadal pic.twitter.com/EQdsCZfRFb
— Cynthia...✏ (@Cynthia_Dray) May 19, 2019
What happen-ed in Monte Carlo: SF
— Jonathan Newman (@Tennis_Jon) May 19, 2019
What happen-ed in Barcelona: SF
What happen-ed in Madrid: SF
And here we are, Nadal is the champion in Rome.
d. Djokovic 6-0 4-6 6-1 #ibi19
Nadal has served four bagels in Rome.
— Tennis Memes (@ATPWTAMemes) May 19, 2019
Chardy - 🥯
Basilashvili - 🥯
Verdasco - 🥯
Djokovic - 🥯
Tsitsipas - NONE 😎😂 pic.twitter.com/dxdySIzJcS
Nadal said after the first match in Barcelona, that was "a disaster" he came back at his hotel and thought about how to change this, "how to fix it inside me". Was a first turning point.
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) May 19, 2019
For a player who many said would retire early through injuries, this is an amazing achievement.
— Matthew Willis (@MattRacquet) May 19, 2019
Nadal's longevity and consistency at the highest level.
(H/T to @TrentonJocz) pic.twitter.com/xwnxlGrmSE
Make no mistake. This is not about Djokovic being fatigued. It is about Rafael Nadal playing tennis at the highest level in the history of the sport. Do not let anyone spin a different narrative. And never ever doubt Rafa or Fernando. Retweet after the match to tell the world.
— FernandoIsFernando (@VivaFernando) May 19, 2019
RAFAEL #NADAL 9️⃣🏆
— KDJE (@KDJE_tennis) May 19, 2019
Congrats champ! 👏🏻
6-0, 4-6, 6-1
All my respect and admiration for Rafa, he is a warrior and always gives the best of himself.
As an extra, it's incredible that in all his career, he has not broken any racket.
(Instagram: @InteBNLdItalia) pic.twitter.com/Gg0MUILTi3
I am in tears with joy😅Congratulations @RafaelNadal and my fellow #rafam
— Elizabeth 🇩🇰 (@EBollerup) May 19, 2019
What happenED in Monte Carlo happenED
What happenED in Barcelona happenED
What happenED in Madrid happenED
And here we are, in ROME!
TItle happenED!
King is back, healthy and playing well
Beating @DjokerNole @InteBNLdItalia final, @RafaelNadal broke all-time men's record for most wins against No.1-ranked players (2⃣0⃣ wins). He broke the tie with @TheBorisBecker who had 19 wins against No.1. players.@DabadieTV @Ubitennis @leifshiras @ESPNtenis @christophclarey pic.twitter.com/cbPGHppzBJ
— Andras Ruszanov (@DB4Tennis) May 19, 2019
Look how much he loves his trophies! He can’t possibly hug it any closer! #RafaelNadal #Roma #IBI19 pic.twitter.com/LxhvRbrtKf
— Sandy (@nycsandygirl) May 19, 2019
Who did this 👀🙈😂#tennis #tenis @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/EGgtd4KPbl
— tennis news chan 1 (@tennisnewschan1) May 20, 2019
Congratulations @RafaelNadal on your victory in Rome. I’m heading to @RolandGarros in the coming weeks where I expect to see you defend for No.12. It’s hard to imagine anyone who could topple the King of Clay.
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) May 19, 2019
It took *29* tournaments, but Rafael Nadal is the first player to defend a title on the ATP Tour this season!#ibi19
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) May 19, 2019
Massive records for Rafael Nadal with 9th Rome 🏆:
— Trenton Jocz (@TrentonJocz) May 19, 2019
-Most consecutive years with an ATP title (breaks tie w/Federer)
-Record 20th win vs ATP World #1 (breaks tie w/Becker)
-Record 34th Masters
-First to win 25 Masters on one surface
-Oldest men's Rome champ in Open Era (was Laver)
(with AFP inputs)