With the French Open having drawn to a close, Reem Abdulleil gives her thoughts on the memorable moments from the last two weeks at Roland Garros.

Best player
Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic was flying through his first five rounds but it’s Nadal who knows how to peak at the right time in Paris like no other player. The Spaniard solidified his status as the undisputed King of Clay and once again raised the question on whether he will ever be beaten at Roland Garros again before retirement. Right now it’s nine French titles and counting…

Breakthrough players
Ernests Gulbis

He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and may sport a forehand that makes him look like he’s trying to lift off the ground and fly, but Gulbis has finally broken the top-10 for the first time in his career and he has done it by making his first major semis, taking out Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych back-to-back. It took him a while but the Latvian is finally ready for prime time.

Garbine Muguruza

Making the quarters in singles and the semis in doubles as well as dismissing world No1 Serena Williams is more than anyone would have expected from the Spanish-Venezuelan. Her game is aggressive and her confidence is appealing. Here’s hoping she can take that into the grass court season.

Most reliable seed
Simona Halep

The Romanian succeeded where Serena Williams, Li Na and Agnieszka Radwanska failed to deliver and she silenced all her doubters by storming in to the final without dropping a set and taking Maria Sharapova to her very limits before surrendering. Her reward is a career-high No3 ranking and the belief that she can now win a major.

Biggest fighter
Maria Sharapova

Sharapova wasn’t aware if she had ever won four back-to-back three setters in one tournament prior to Paris. But the Russian did just that these past two weeks, including three matches where she fought back from a set down. Her never-say-die attitude will forever be her most admired quality. One hopes she can do the same against Serena Williams soon.

Biggest disappointment
Novak Djokovic

This may seem harsh but the Serb’s performance in the final was well below anything he had shown earlier in the tournament. Some may say he was secretly sick, but for a third straight year, he was unable to take it to Nadal in Paris the way he has done in other events. Once again, he was worn down by the tension and desire to complete a career grand slam and couldn’t keep up.

Coolest visitor
Prince

Not much to say here except yes, Prince was at the French Open. All the other celebrity visitors pale in comparison.

Best quotes

“Call an ambulance” – Rafael Nadal’s first words to his uncle and coach Toni after winning the title.

“It’s not enough. I need to reach more now. Now I’m addicted to success” – Gulbis after losing in the semi-finals.

“Are you asking me if I deserve to be in the semi-finals? OK. Good. That’s nice. I hope you are not insinuating anything” – Andrea Petkovic to a journalist.

“I read that you became the best of yourself when you stopped with the gluten. So if I stop with the gluten, will I become a better writer?” – Italian veteran tennis writer Gianni Clerici to Novak Djokovic.

“We are moving on. Clay doesn’t need me anymore, I got flushed out here” – Roger Federer after losing in the fourth round.

“I came through my career in the beginning where everybody used to take a toilet break at 5-4 when you’re serving for the match” – Roger Federer on the misuse of medical timeouts.