Nadal makes history with eighth French Open triumph
The third seed dominated the match to win 6-3 6-2 6-3 in two hours and 16 minutes, making it seven titles from nine tournaments since his return from seven months out with a knee injury in February.
Nadal has now won 12 grand slam titles and 59 matches from 60 at Roland Garros, more than any other male player.
Nadal, who will drop behind Ferrer to number five in the world despite his victory, was presented with the Coupe des Mousquetaires by sprint king Usain Bolt.
The final was dramatically interrupted in the second by a masked protester carrying a flare.
Nadal had just gone 5-1 up in the second set when a bare-chested man with ‘KIDS RIGHT’ written on his stomach, wearing a white face mask and with a red flare in his hand, leapt out of the crowd near the umpire’s chair and on to Court Philippe Chatrier.
He was not far away from Nadal but was quickly tackled by security staff and wrestled to the ground just off the court, with the Spaniard, who went on to win an eighth French Open title, later shaking the hand of a member of the security staff.
Serena Williams completed a year of domination by winning the French Open – and then declared her best is still to come.
The 31-year-old defeated last year’s champion Maria Sharapova 6-4 6-4 to win her second title at Roland Garros 11 years after her first.
She is the oldest French Open women’s champion in the Open era, but at an age where many tennis players have called it a day, Williams is playing better than ever.
She said: “I definitely want to go out at my peak. That’s my goal. But have I peaked yet? I’m really relaxed. I really enjoy every moment that I’m out there. I always said that I felt like I have never played my best tennis.
“I have said that for years, that I feel like I can always do better and play better.”
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