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S E N I O R S G R A N D S L A M S ROLAND GARROS AND WIMBLEDON OLD HABITS DIE HARD 30 ITFWorld // SUMMER 2018 Rafael Nadal won his 11th Roland Garros title with victory over Dominic Thiem in the final Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic ensured the usual suspects remained centre stage, while Simona Halep flew the flag for the under 30s. By Paul Newman FOR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHEN THE OLD GUARD, PARTICULARLY IN THE MEN'S GAME, WOULD BE SWEPT ASIDE BY A NEW WAVE OF EMERGING TALENT. AFTER ROLAND GARROS AND WIMBLEDON, HOWEVER, WE WERE STILL LEFT WAITING. Although Andy Murray, continuing to struggle for fitness, was absent and Roger Federer failed in his quest to win a ninth Wimbledon title, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, the two other members of the 'Big Four', added to their collection of Grand Slam titles. Meanwhile Serena Williams made a hugely impressive return as a mother and Angelique Kerber became the latest thirty-something to triumph at the highest level. At least Simona Halep struck a blow for the younger generation at Roland Garros, even if the 26-year-old Romanian was hardly a newcomer. Nowhere was the continuing excellence of the older players better illustrated than in the men's final at Roland Garros. Nadal, chasing his 11th title there after another wonderful clay-court campaign, had not always looked at his best in Paris, but reserved his finest performance for the final. His 64 63 62 victory over 24-year-old Dominic Thiem, who had established himself as the world's second best clay-court player, was a vivid demonstration of his power, athleticism, court craft and mental strength. The 32-year-old Spaniard's biggest test had come in the quarterfinals, when he trailed by a set and a break to

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