NADAL - KING OF CLAY.

And so the French Open Tennis Championships are over after 2 incredible singles finals.

On Saturday, Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep fought an amazing battle before Sharapova came out as the winner. After just over 3 hours of brutal conflict, the giant Russian beat the comparatively diminutive Romanian, more by sheer willpower than anything else. It was only during the presentations that Sharapova's true physical presence became apparent, as she stood alongside the great Chris Evert; Sharapova was revealed as being at least half a foot taller and wider than the champion of yesteryear and her legs were like tree trunks beside those of the 'tiny' Evert. That said, Halep, while lacking inches in height, lacked none of the bulk of modern players and she will be a genuine contender for Grand Slam titles, and the number 1 spot, for many years to come.

The men's final, between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovich was almost a let down, though another amazing match. After winning the first set and looking likely to give the champion a real run for his money, Djokovich almost faded away, losing the next 3 sets and rarely looking like a probable winner. He had his moments but it was Nadal who held the whip hand, increasingly so after he levelled the match by winning the second set. Nadal simply ground his opponent into the red clay of Roland Garros.

Nadal is, without doubt, the greatest clay court player ever. Throughout his career, clay has been his surface and he has been virtually unbeatable, whoever the opposition. His ninth French Open title brings his overall Grand Slam total to 14 wins and he threatens to attack Roger Federer's record of 17; will he get there ? If he does, will it make him the greatest player ever ? In my view, no. Federer won 4 Australian, 5 USA and 7 Wimbledon to go with his 1 victory in France; Nadal has 2 Wimbledon, 2 US and 1 Australian alongside his 9 French titles, his record being heavily dominated by his own domination on clay. Federer won 3 of the major events in one season on three occasion, Nadal has managed this once; indeed, but for Nadal, it seems likely that Federer would have achieved multiple "Grand Slams", winning all 4 events in a calendar year. Between 2004 and 2007, Federer won 11 of the 16 Grand Slam events on offer, and was twice the runner up to Nadal in Paris. Nadal's history has no such sequence of success, his overall record being heavily biased by his astonishing success at one tournament.

One thing that is clear is that, good though he is, Andy Murray is not quite in the same league as today's 'Big 2'. That doesn't mean he won't retain his Wimbledon crown but it certainly isn't going to be easy. On grass, even the old man, Federer, comes back into the equation and the big servers will also have their say. Bring it on !