As a child, Corentin Moutet was such a dedicated fan of Rafael Nadal that he used to sleep in one of the Spanish star's trademark sleeveless shirts.

Rafael Nadal began his pursuit of a record-extending 14th French Open title with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Australian world number 82 Jordan Thompson on Monday.

Rafa Nadal's return to action after more than a month out due to injury saw him lose to teenager Carlos Alcaraz in the Madrid quarter-finals but the 21-times Grand Slam champion always knew it would take some time for his "old machine" to fire up.

Novak Djokovic may not seem like the intimidating tennis virtuoso athlete from the outset; rather, like somebody one might approach in a room full of strangers to ask for the Wi-Fi password, for instance. Fondly referred to as the Djoker, his demeanour in general, feels so vibrant and likeable that one might feel like cracking an informal joke with him; and he seems humble and humane- way more than an average superstar athlete or a comic superhero, yet he has morphed into a champion hero for the ages and for all ages.

No matter the result, tonight's Roland-Garros semi-final promises brilliant tennis.

Rafael Nadal claims an 11th French Open title with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 demolition of Dominic Thiem despite a worrying injury scare in the closing stages of the final.

Rafael Nadal moves a step closer to an incredible 11th French Open title on Monday by seeing off German Maximilian Marterer in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals.

Nadal racks up 80th French Open win

Rafael Nadal says it's time to step up at the Australian Open after fighting off tenacious Argentine Diego Schwartzman to win through to the quarter-finals.

Written off as dead men walking, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal defied time to sweep the Grand Slams in 2017 while the injury curse which dogged their rivals looks set to be the new year's early storyline.

Rafael Nadal continued a remarkable season by ensuring that he will end the year as the world number one for the first time since 2013, as he completes a long road back to the top of the sport.

Roger Federer is eyeing a seventh ATP Finals crown and has not ruled out pinching the world number one ranking from Rafa Nadal if he maintains the form that won him his second Shanghai Masters trophy.

Roger Federer gets one over his old rival Rafael Nadal to win the Shanghai Masters 6-4, 6-3 in a showdown between the two best players on the planet.

They call it "the most exclusive restaurant in China". There are absolutely no reservations and Roger Federer is apparently a big fan.

Maria Sharapova made an impressive start to the Tianjin Open on Wednesday by beating Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu in straight sets.

World number one Rafael Nadal's third U.S. Open and 16th grand slam title which he bagged with a 6-3 6-3 6-4 demolition of South African Kevin Anderson, triggers speculations on his chances of surpassing Federer's record of 19 major championships.

Rafael Nadal is thrilled to learn he would return to world number one for the first time in three years but sorry it came because Roger Federer withdrew from this week's ATP Cincinnati Masters tournament.

Spaniard Rafael Nadal is nursing a weighty dose of hurt pride as yet another Wimbledon campaign slips away from him.

"Manic Monday" promises an unmatched concentration of excellence as all the fourth-round contenders gear up for action at the All England Club.

Andy Murray survives a scare from Fabio Fognini as the defending champion scrapes his way into the Wimbledon last 16.