Rafael Nadal puts pursuit of 'true slam' on hold, French Open 2009
![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2009/5/22/1242992420041/Rafael-Nadal-001.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none)
Winning a fifth successive French Open takes priority over an elusive record last achieved by Rod Laver, Rafael Nadal tells Steve Bierley
![](https://d3gvyx4eg3tne0.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/A63RU5D3R5GDLEZJFLYLVE7NDY.jpg)
Novak Djokovic overcomes Rafael Nadal in French Open classic to reach final - Jersey Evening Post
![](https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/83874c7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1688+0+156/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fafs-prod%2Fmedia%2Fcfee34713e7343149626eaa850b6a106%2F3000.jpeg)
Analysis: Rafael Nadal might never play again; he also might surprise us and win something
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Rafael_Nadal_%2833024239518%29.jpg/228px-Rafael_Nadal_%2833024239518%29.jpg)
Rafael Nadal - Wikipedia
Why did Federer not win more French Open titles? - Quora
![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2009/5/25/1243256674165/Rafael-nadal-french-open--001.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none)
Rafael Nadal tested by Marcos Daniel but makes French Open second round, French Open 2009
![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2009/5/22/1242992420041/Rafael-Nadal-001.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdG8tYWdlLTIwMDkucG5n&enable=upscale&s=a707ab003b1320d7e880e9c722417f32)
Rafael Nadal puts pursuit of 'true slam' on hold, French Open 2009
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/thetech-production/images/web_photos/web/2202_frenchopen.jpg?1460722409)
Finally, Nadal Falls at the French
![](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/BBK9RR/a-disappointed-rafael-nadal-at-the-french-open-2009-BBK9RR.jpg)
A disappointed Rafael Nadal at the French Open 2009 Stock Photo - Alamy
![](https://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/666/757/108283889_original.jpg?1296004895)
Australian Open: 10 Reasons Why Rafael Nadal Won't Win His Fourth Straight Major, News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
![](https://www.sportsmax.tv/media/k2/items/cache/65d2d1b2f985b40e2cdc61421ab95bba_Generic.jpg)
Rafael Nadal
![](https://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/666/712/108242810_original.jpg?1296003787)
Australian Open: 10 Reasons Why Rafael Nadal Won't Win His Fourth Straight Major, News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
![](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/tennis/2017/05/24/nadalfoot_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwViJj1eTvcjzL4JkNP_PJEs.jpg)
Why Rafael Nadal winning a tenth French Open would be greatest achievement in history of the sport