June 10, 2013 -- Updated 1657 GMT (0057 HKT)
Rafael Nadal admits he was "scared" when a masked protester ran onto
court brandishing a flare during Sunday's French Open final, briefly
disrupting the Spaniard's bid for a record-breaking victory. FULL STORY
June 10, 2013 -- Updated 1612 GMT (0012 HKT)
Nadal wins 8th French Open title
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Rafael Nadal praises security staff after protester invades tennis court
- A masked man holding a lit flare interrupted Sunday's French Open final
- Nadal beat fellow Spaniard David Ferrer to win his eighth Roland Garros title
- The protester was reportedly campaigning against same-sex marriage
Nadal, who became the
first male tennis player to win one grand slam eight times, praised the
contribution of security staff who quickly removed the individual late
in the second set of his 6-3 6-2 6-3 success against compatriot David Ferrer.
CNN affiliate BFM
reported the men were part of a group called Printemps Francais, or
French Spring, which is opposed to the French government's decision to
make same-sex marriage legal last month.
A second shirtless man was hustled away before he could make it onto the court.
Nadal clinches 8th French Open
Photos: The French Open: Men's singles final
Williams wins 2nd French Open title
Photos: The French Open: Women's singles final
"I was a little bit scared in the beginning because I didn't see, everything is very quick out there," the 27-year-old told CNN.
"I saw somebody coming with some fire so I was a little bit scared. These things are impossible to predict.
"I can just say thank you very much to all of the security guys, they did amazing work and I really felt safe immediately."
The incident evoked memories of when Monica Seles was stabbed in the back during the 1993 Hamburg Masters.
In 2009, a spectator
also ran onto the court at Roland Garros and attempted to put a red hat
on Roger Federer's head during the final.
Sunday's win extended
Nadal's run at the clay-court grand slam to 59 wins and just one defeat,
which came against Sweden's Robin Soderling in the fourth round four
years ago.
After clinching the title in 2012, Nadal was out of action for seven months due to a right knee injury.
"A lot of people helped me a lot and supported me a lot," the world 12-time grand slam winner said.
"I received hundreds of
messages which gave me a lot of positive energy. Thank you very much to
everybody who supported me, because of them I have this trophy."
Meanwhile, Dutch player
Yannick Ebbinghaus has been banned for six months and fined $10,000
after illegally betting on matches 67 times between May 2012 and
February 2013.
The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) prohibits players from directly or indirectly placing wagers on matches.
Three months of the ban
is suspended pending "anti-corruption education training" and $5,000 of
Ebbinghaus' fine could be returned if the 23-year-old -- ranked 1,158th
in the world -- cooperates with the TIU.
Russia's world No. 806 Sergei Krotiouk, 34, last week received a lifelong ban for match-fixing.
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