2009 French Open – Men's Singles 2009 French Open – Men's Singles Rafael Nadal was the four-time defending champion, but lost in the fourth round to Robin Söderling in a huge upset. This was Nadal's first defeat (of two) at the French Open, having won the title in all four of his previous appearances at Roland Garros since debuting in 2005. With Nadal's loss, there would be a first time French Open champion for 2009. Roger Federer beat Söderling in the final 6–1, 7–6, 6–4 to win his first French Open title, complete the career Grand Slam, and equal Pete Sampras' then-record of 14 Grand Slam
Rafael Nadal final of a Grand Slam on all three surfaces (grass, hard, and clay). Novak Djokovic and Nadal have met 52 times (more than any other pair in the Open Era) and Nadal trails at 25–27. Nadal leads on clay 16–7, while Djokovic leads on hard courts 18–7, and they are tied on grass 2–2. In 2009, this rivalry was listed as the third greatest of the previous 10 years by ATPworldtour.com. Djokovic is one of only two players to have at least ten match wins against Nadal (the other being Federer) and the only person to defeat Nadal seven consecutive