Rafael Nadal Completes Career Grand Slam at 2010 US Open

Rafael Nadal completed the career Grand Slam on September 13, 2010. The 24-year-old Spaniard defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the US Open final to claim the only major title missing from his collection.

Nadal was the youngest player in the Open Era to achieve the feat. He joined Andre Agassi and Roger Federer as only the third man to win Grand Slam titles on four different surfaces. The victory cemented his world No. 1 ranking and marked his third major crown of the year.

The Path to Flushing Meadows Glory

Nadal arrived in New York having already won the French Open and Wimbledon in 2010. Historically, the US Open had been his least successful major. His best previous results were semi-final finishes in 2008 and 2009. This time, he powered through the draw without dropping a set. His improved serve, a focus of recent work, made him less vulnerable on the hard courts.

His opponent, 23-year-old world No. 3 Novak Djokovic, was seeking a second major title since his 2008 Australian Open win. His path to the final was more arduous. He survived a five-set first-round match against Victor Troicki and then saved two match points to defeat Roger Federer in a five-set semi-final epic.

A Clash of Styles and Missions

Both players entered the final with clear objectives. Nadal aimed to secure the career Slam. Djokovic was desperate to confirm his elite status and challenge for the top ranking. The Serb employed an aggressive game plan, but Nadal's legendary court coverage and consistency proved decisive.

The match featured intense baseline rallies. Nadal created more break point opportunities. While his own serve had strengthened, Djokovic was hampered by technical serving issues that had plagued him since 2009. After three hours and 43 minutes, Nadal sealed the four-set victory.

"More than what I dreamt," was how the new champion simply described his feelings afterward.

The Coach's Perspective

Nadal's uncle and coach, Toni Nadal, offered more detailed analysis to The New York Times. He expressed great satisfaction with his nephew's development on fast courts.

"It was a goal we had in mind never knowing for sure if we’d get there," said Toni Nadal. "But he’s returning better, serving a bit better and is closer to the baseline. The sliced backhand is much better."

Historical Context and Rivalry

The 2010 final was a key moment in the careers of both champions. At the time, Nadal's dominance seemed unassailable. That changed in 2011 when Djokovic start a stunning season to become the new tour leader.

Their rivalry intensified over the next decade, becoming one of the greatest in tennis history. The report notes that by September 2023, they had met 59 times, with Djokovic holding a narrow 30-29 lead. Nadal's career haul reached 22 Grand Slam titles, while Djokovic eventually set the men's record with 24.