If you had bet on Rafael Nadal to win the French Open throughout his career, you'd be returning at a very profitable rate, but what about if you bet on him this year?
You would have secured the biggest underdog title of Nadal's 14 French Open victories.
Nadal beat Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 on Sunday to capture La Coupe des Mousquetaires.
This has already become one of the best seasons of Nadal's career, as he won his second Australian Open title from a +550 position and defeated Novak Djokovic as a +200 underdog in the semifinals at Roland Garros.
Nadal came into Roland Garros at a plus-money price only four prior times in his career, with his longest odds before this year's event coming before the 2015 tournament. Then, he came into the French Open at +400 due to injury battles and inconsistent form.
Nadal has won 14 of the past 18 French Open titles. Only Novak Djokovic (2x), Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka have won the event in that period.
| Year | Nadal Opening French Open Price | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +400 | Title |
| 2021 | -120 | Loss SF |
| 2020 | +125 | Title |
| 2019 | -110 | Title |
| 2018 | -255 | Title |
| 2017 | -107 | Title |
| 2016 | -110 | WD R3 |
| 2015 | +400 | Loss QF |
| 2014 | +130 | Title |
| 2013 | -150 | Title |
| 2012 | -150 | Title |
| 2011 | -110 | Title |
| 2010 | -250 | Title |
| 2009 | -400 | Loss R4 |
| 2008 | -200 | Title |
| 2007 | -163 | Title |
| 2006 | -125 | Title |
| 2005 | +200 | Title |
Outside of the French Open, Nadal won the rest of his Grand Slam titles as an underdog in all but one event, the 2013 US Open.
His Australian Open title from earlier this year represents the longest odds that Nadal has had before a Slam that he won.
The 22-time Slam champion has nothing else to prove, but he ticked off another unique box on his resume by winning Majors as a solid underdog.
