David vs. Goliath

Rafael Nadal has forged an unparalleled legacy on clay. Yet, among these many triumphs, one match in particular stands out—a match he will likely remember for the rest of his life : his clash with Paul-Henri Mathieu in 2006.

Already a two-time defending champion and the undisputed king of clay despite his youth, Nadal entered the 2006 French Open as the man to beat. His dominance on the surface was unquestioned, and few—if any—expected a serious challenge from world No. 55, Paul-Henri Mathieu.

But the Frenchman, defying all odds and expectations, delivered a performance of rare bravery and tenacity.

An hour and a half into the match, the unthinkable happened. In a first set marked by explosive rallies and relentless pace, it was the underdog who struck first. With the crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier rising to their feet, Mathieu claimed the opening set to thunderous applause.

Overwhelmed by the ferocity and precision of the local hero’s shot-making, Nadal was, for once, forced into the role of the chaser. The Spaniard, typically so dominant, had to weather a storm of high-risk tennis as Mathieu pushed him to the edge.

As the battle wore on, Nadal gradually regained control, capitalizing on the fatigue of a Frenchman who had left everything on the court. After nearly five hours of grueling combat, Nadal ultimately prevailed in what remains one of the most hard-fought matches of his career.