Image source, AFP

And so we bid au revoir to the 2014 French Open. Let the tears flow, there's no shame in crying. The irrepressible Nadal retains the crown which could be his until the day he decides to retire. Thanks, as always for your contributions. There will be more live text coming up next week from the grass of Queen's. Bye for now.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

Is it too early to mention Wimbledon? Probably, but anyway - both French Open finalists will be testing out their footwork on grass courts somewhere sooner than they care to think about. Nadal is due to appear as the top seed in Halle, Germany, in a few days' time, while Djokovic plans an exhibition warm-up in London the following week. Meanwhile, Andy Murray and new coach Amelie Mauresmo will be beginning their partnership at Queen's Club, which gets under way on Monday.

- 10 Roland Garros appearances

- 9 Roland Garros singles titles (2005-08, 2010-14)

- First to win 5 successive Roland Garros titles (2010-14)

Image source, Getty Images

- 14 Grand Slam titles (9 Roland Garros titles; 2008 & 2010 Wimbledon; 2009 Australian Open; 2010 & 2013 US Open)

- Current Roland Garros winning streak of 35 matches

- 66-1 win-loss record at Roland Garros

- 90-1 win-loss record in best-of-five-set matches on clay

- 45 career clay court singles titles (second on the list behind Guillermo Vilas - 46 titles)

- 3 clay court titles in 2014 (Rio de Janeiro, Madrid-1000, Roland Garros)

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC Tennis: , externalHistory. 36 75 62 64. #Nadal wins his 9th #FrenchOpen title and the Roland Garros honours board looks like this...

Rob, Wimbledon: As much as Nadal is a great champion, the French Open has become boring as a result of his dominance.

The snappers zoom in on Nadal and the world number one is happy to smile and bite into his trophy.

Interestingly, Djokovic had nine break points while Nadal collected 10 but the Spaniard was the more ruthless - winning 60% of his break points, with Djokovic trailing at 33%.

Image source, AFP

Pat Cash, 1987 Wimbledon champion:, external So close again for Djokovic. But he's a true champion who'll be back. #NeverGiveUp

Alao Ibadan:, external Always felt Roger at Wimbledon was incredible, but Rafa on clay is just absolutely out of this world.

Alistair Lowe:, external Surely the most predictable outcome in the sporting calendar. Nadal fit, on clay, Nadal wins. Phenomenal.

Jonny Davis:, external Impressive from Borg managing to pull off the suit + trainers combination.

Image source, Reuters

French Open champion Rafael Nadal: "It's always a pleasure to play against you Novak and congratulations for all the things you are doing, all the best to you and your team I am sure you will win here one day.

"Thank you to everybody who works here to make this the best tournament in the world. I'd also like to thank the fans, it's incredible to play here and your support is unforgettable. Thanks to my team, without them it would be impossible to be where I am today. In the good moments and bad moments, all the work we have done is for days like today. Many thanks and I hope to see you next year."

The Spaniard is a phenomenon and there are statistics to prove it. He has now won 14 Grand Slam titles, equalling Pete Sampras on the all-time list, and is the second-youngest man in history to do so, with Roger Federer pipping him to that feat.

He is the first male in history to win a Grand Slam title in 10 consecutive years and no man has dominated on the Parisian dirt like the world number one. Next year he will be aiming for la decima on a court where he has reigned supreme for almost a decade.

Novak Djokovic: "It was a very emotional day and I gave everything. Thanks to the fans for all the passion and emotion they have shown throughout the tournament. The trophy was a bit too far out of reach this year but I will come back again and again until I win it."

Image source, AFP

Time for Nadal to hoist some silverware aloft and the Spaniard can't contain his emotions, bursting into tears after getting his hands on the Coupe des Mousquetaires for the ninth time.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live

"Simply stunning from Nadal, out of sorts on clay earlier in the year but once again when it matters he has timed his run to perfection."

Hearty applause for Novak Djokovic as he collects his runners-up plate and the Serb is fighting back the tears so overwhelmed is he to receive a standing ovation. Djokovic blows kisses, puffs his cheeks. He looks like a man who wants the applause to stop otherwise salty tears emerge.

Silver Fox Bjorn Borg walks onto the court because he will be presenting Nadal with the Coupe des Mousquetaires. The Swede, a six-time champion in Paris, is not quite suited and booted. He has decided to wear a pair of blue trainers with a dark suit, but he's Bjorn Borg so he can.

Patrick Jack:, external Devastating tennis from Rafa Nadal. After the first set there was only ever going to be one winner.

Image source, AFP

French Open champion Rafael Nadal: "For me it's amazing and emotional, I lost the final at Australia this year where I had a problem with my back and that was a hard moment. Today tennis has given me back what happened in Australia. Playing at Roland Garros is unforgettable, I want to thank everyone here."

Rafael Nadal says he is "sure" Djokovic will, one day, win the French Open, but all the Serb can do is remain seated and stare into the middle distance, perhaps he's questioning whether he will ever win the title which he craves the most.

Image source, AFP

Novak Djokovic can do little but slowly walk towards the net and wait to shake hands with the nine-time French Open champion, the man who has turned beating him at Roland Garros into a habit.

"In matches like this every moment is crucial. all the points are so hard," says Nadal. "Playing against Novak is always a big challenge for me. Every time I have a chance with him it's because I played to my limit."

Mary Pierce
Former Australian and French Open champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"It's unbelievable. It's amazing because in the first set Novak played so well, so smart but then he changed to play to Rafa's strategy. Rafa fought so hard, but it looked like Novak was missing energy in that fourth set. Rafa is an amazing champion, he's almost unbeatable on this court."