Rafael Nadal defeated Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in the final of the French Open to claim his fifth Roland Garros title! He also returned to No. 1 in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings and became the first player to qualify for the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals! Wow, congrats Rafa!

"[It was a] very important victory for me. I think one of the most important victories in my career," said Nadal. "It was a difficult year for me the last year. I worked a lot to be here. I was very nervous during all the tournament, because I know before that I was ready to try to win another time, and I saw the chances there. But the very positive thing is today I was ready to play. I was ready to play with calm and to try my best and to enjoy the match. I did, and it was a very special day.

"For me I was 11 months without winning a title, so a lot of tournaments going back to home without a victory. A lot of difficult moments, because in a few of these tournaments I had to retire for the problems. So is difficult moments to accept. It was personal goal to be back at my best. So I did. And for me, sure, the important thing is Roland Garros. But for me the biggest thing is the personal satisfaction to be here, to be here another time and to be at the top level."


This was his seventh career Grand Slam title; he won Roland Garros in 2005-2008 and 2010, Wimbledon in 2008 and Australian Open last year.

Nadal also becomes the first player to qualify for the season-ending 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, to be held at The O2 in London from 21-28 November.

“When you qualify for the World Tour Finals you have to be very happy because it proves you have had a very good season. Last year the crowd and the stadium were unbelievable. Playing in London is always a special feeling. I have amazing memories of London,” said the World No.1.


After defeateing top seed Federer, Soderling was hoping to become the eighth different player – and the third at Roland Garros - in the Open Era to defeat the top two seeds en route to a Grand Slam title.

“I have to congratulate Rafa for his fifth victory here, it’s really impressive and if he continues to play like this he will have a chance to win many more,” said Soderling, who was bidding to become the first Swedish champion at Roland Garros since Mats Wilander in 1988. “I will come back next year and hope it will be third time lucky.

"Losing a final in a Grand Slam is not great. It's not a great feeling. But I wasn't close in any one of them. I lost straight sets last year and the same this year. It's always tougher if you lose a really, really close match."

Rafael Nadal wins 5th Roland Garros title, reclaims No. 1 Ranking and Qualify For Barclays ATP World Tour Finals!