French Open 2011: Rafael Nadal Catches The Shadow Of Bjorn Borg

After his defeat of Roger Federer today, Rafael Nadal has six French Open titles, tying him with the legendary Bjorn Borg for the most by any player in tennis history. But is the dynamic Spaniard the icy Swede’s match at the cathedral of clay?

Nadal’s six French Opens came in just seven years: he won four straight from 2005 to 2008, lost to Robin Soderling while nursing an injury in 2009, then captured the last two titles at Roland Garros. Borg took a bit longer, winning in 1974 and 1975, then not again until 1978’s victory touched off four straight French Open crowns.

Both players were similarly dominant on the red clay: Borg’s career record of 49-2 at Roland Garros is good for a terrifying 96.0% winning percentage, while Nadal’s 45-1 tally is a smidgen better at 97.7%. Borg’s exits came in the fourth round in his first visit and the quarterfinals in his fourth; Nadal won his first 31 matches at Roland Garros before losing to Soderling in the fourth round in his fifth visit.

On balance, those stats would seem to favor Nadal, but Borg did pip him on speed: the fleet-footed Nadal didn’t get to six French Opens quicker than the precocious Borg. Today, Nadal is one day older than Borg was in 1981 when he won his final French; Borg won his first French title at just days older than 18, while Nadal won his first French Open just after turning 19.

But Nadal is likely to continue his Roland Garros reign, while Borg retired after 1981, never playing in the French Open again. And if Nadal’s famous conditioning keeps him competitive into his late twenties, he could break Borg’s record — and put his own out of reach.