Rafael Nadal, the four-time defending champion lost to Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the fourth round Sunday, ending his record 31-match winning streak at Roland Garros.

“When one player plays bad, [he] must lose,” Nadal said. “[It] was my fault. … I didn’t play my best tennis and for that reason I lose.”

Soderling, who was seeded 23rd at this year’s tournament, ran Nadal off his feet on center court with a hard serve and amazing forehand. “I played well today, but I think I played some even better matches in my career,” said the 24-year-old Soderling, who called Nadal “the greatest clay-court player of all time.”

Rafael Nadal will become No. 1 in the rankings Monday, and now he’s is numero uno at the Olympics.
Nadal won a gold medal Sunday, overcoming two set points in the second set and holding every service game to beat Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3. Nadal’s gold medal was the first ever for Spain in Olympic tennis. Nadal was already assured of taking over the No. 1 ranking Monday for the first time, ending Roger Federer’s reign after almost 5 years. Nadal has won 38 of his past 39 matches.

Elena Dementieva took the gold in women’s singles, taking advantage of 17 double-faults by another Russian, Dinara Safina to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

In women’s doubles, Venus and Serena Williams won the glory and the gold, taking down Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain 6-2, 6-0.

Rafael Nadal held off Roger Federer to win his first Wimbledon title and end the Swiss star’s reign at the All England Club. Nadal missed two championship points in the fourth set but recovered to win a dramatic rain-interrupted match 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (8-10) 9-7.

Nadal, 22, is the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon titles back-to-back. Thought of as tennis’s version of a world heavyweight title fight - it lived up to the hype, Nadal finally won the longest Wimbledon men’s singles final after four hours, 48 minutes.

After his victory, a tearful Nadal climbed through the stands to celebrate his win with his family and supporters before heading to the royal box to speak to members of Spain’s royal family.

Rafael Nadal secured his status as The King of Clay yesterday when he took a fourth straight French Open title. Nadal pretty much destroyed world number one seed Roger Federer in three straight sets - 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. Nadal, who hails from Spain, who has never lost a match at Roland Garros, didn’t lost a single set in this year’s competition.

Tennis season will heat up now as the road to Wimbledon begins today with the Artois Championships getting underway at the Queens Club in London.