Rafael Nadal’s latest grand slam victory proves his legendary status

When does an athlete elevate themselves to a point where their greatness transcends their profession, asks Jack Rathborn

Feat of clay: Nadal won his 13th French Open at the weekend (AP)

How do you quantify greatness when the wealth of numbers and records becomes so vast? Rafael Nadal stomped all over Novak Djokovic in the 56th chapter of their storied rivalry at Roland Garros on Sunday, bringing up a century of victories on the hallowed Parisian clay, a 13th French Open crown and parity with Roger Federer at the top of the men’s game in terms of grand slams (20).

Make no mistake, Nadal is a living legend. Illustrating his ferocity on the court, immense longevity, relentless hunger and then his astounding grace and humility after each battle – no matter the result – can prove a tricky task.

Covering the latest edition of one of sport’s colossal rivalries is almost more about appreciation than context now – with the superlatives recycled over decades. There is now an inkling of sadness with the end in sight, though the Spaniard routinely clouds that with joy. There was his signature groan following a series of brutal forehands, which constantly sent his Serbian foe tumbling outside the smudged chalk lines en route to perhaps the most emphatic grand slam final win of his career.