General view of Spain's Rafael Nadal lifting the trophy as he celebrates winning the final while Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka applauds at French Open in Roland Garros on June 11, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

Nadal won again at Roland Garros in 2006, 2007 and 2008. After a fourth-round loss on bad knees in 2009, he grabbed five consecutive French Opens 2010-14. A quarterfinal loss in 2015 ended that run, and then came last year's injury.

"Last year," Nadal said, "was not an easy one."On Sunday, the conditions were exactly to the liking of a guy who grew up on the island of Mallorca and still enjoys fishing in his down time. The sun was shining, there was barely a trace of cloud in the bright blue sky and the temperature was about 85 degrees (30 Celsius).

Wawrinka insisted a five-set semifinal win Friday over No. 1-ranked Andy Murray did not take anything out of him physically. The problem against Nadal, Wawrinka said, was more mental.