Regaining French crown was my target says Nadal

Nadal ended more than 16 months without a grand slam yesterday with another clay-court masterclass on Philippe Chatrier Court to avenge last year's defeat to Robin Soderling.

The Spaniard saved his best performance of the tournament – and arguably of the season – for the only man to have beaten him at Roland Garros.

The 24-year-old's 6-4 6-2 6-4 victory in two hours and 18 minutes ended any doubt over his status as the undisputed king of clay, gave him his seventh major championship, and will see him overtake Roger Federer as world No 1 today.

Nadal has been dogged by tendinitis in his knees in the past year, leaving him unable to defend his Wimbledon title last summer and forcing him to retire against Andy Murray in the defence of his Australian Open crown earlier this year.

It is also thought the injury was a big factor in last year's shock French Open defeat to Soderling.

Nadal was unable to fight back the tears after beating the Swede yesterday, revealing he feared he might never get back to the pinnacle of the game.

"I had a difficult year, and for some moments (it) was difficult to accept the injuries and everything," said Nadal, who was also suffering from an abdominal problem at the US Open.

"Some moments you don't know if you'll be ready another time to compete, and be 100 per cent.

"It's a big frustration when you are at the US Open and you tear an abdominal one week before, and you are in Australia and have to retire during the quarter-final match.

"So all these moments are difficult to accept.

"And for that reason, (yesterday) is a very, very special day for me."

Hailing his triumph as one of the most important of his career, the Spaniard added: "I worked a lot to be here.

"I was very nervous during the whole tournament because I knew beforehand that I was ready to win another time.

"(Yesterday), I was ready to play."

Despite reclaiming the No 1 spot he had not held for almost a year, Nadal insisted his tears were reserved solely for regaining his French Open title.

Pointing to the Coupe des Mousquetaires, he said: "This is the most important thing for me.

"When I was crying after the match, the last thing I was thinking about was the No 1.

"The first thing is the title and all the hours I worked to be here another time."

Time and again yesterday, Soderling thought he had Nadal where he wanted him.

But the second seed would almost inevitably make his opponent play one more shot or produce a stunning winner as he emulated his 2008 feat of winning the title without dropping a set.

Once again alluding to the fact he was not fully fit when he played Soderling last year, Nadal said: "(Yesterday), I felt great physically. I felt perfect mentally, too.

"So I am very happy how I played because I played with very good tactics, I think, and the movement was at my best level."

Nadal revealed he would not have time to celebrate his triumph because he was heading to London to begin practising for the AEGON Championships at Queen's.

After winning all 22 of his matches on clay this season, he is not short of confidence going into the grass court season.

"Winning here and winning the last 22 matches on clay is always very good preparation for grass," he said. "Monday afternoon I'm going to be practising at Queen's for 45 minutes."

Soderling, who was also beaten in straight sets by Federer in last year's final, admitted he had once again failed to produce his best when it really mattered.

The 25-year-old said: "Of course I can play better. I wish I could have done that but he played great. So all credit to him."

The Swede failed to take any of the eight break points he created, but insisted he had not been surprised by Nadal's tactics yesterday.

"Rafa always plays kind of the same," he said.

"He has more or less one game, but he does it so well it's enough to not lose a match on clay for a whole year, which is pretty good.

"You always know what to expect when you play against him.

"I think in the beginning I was a little bit unlucky; I had a few break chances.

"I didn't take them, so then, of course, it was tough.

"I don't think it would have changed anything."

Nadal joked: "I am the No 1 on break points saved for the year. So, a specialist."

British women's No 1 Elena Baltacha saw off American Carly Gullickson in straight sets to secure the AEGON Trophy in Nottingham.

The 26-year-old Scot triumphed 6-2 6-2 against the 23-year-old from Cincinnati to get her grass-court season off to a fine start.

Baltacha, who is only just returning from a serious knee injury, said: "It feels amazing to win.

"I knew Carly would be a bit of trouble. I've lost to her once before so I knew I had to take her really seriously and I played well enough.

"Carly has got such good hands and she's so talented – I can see why she does well on grass because she's got a great serve, she constantly keeps mixing it up and she doesn't give anything away on her serve.

"For grass it's such a good tactic and I knew I'd have to overpower her. I did that and it stopped her playing her own game."

The victory marks Baltacha's 10th success at ITF level and provides her with a boost in confidence ahead of next week's AEGON Classic at the Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham.