Roger Federer achieved the career Grand Slam in 2009 by winning the French Open. The Paris victory completed his collection of all four major singles titles: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.
Federer had previously won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, but the French Open had remained the missing piece. He had reached three earlier French Open finals and lost each to Rafael Nadal, widely regarded as the event's clay-court specialist. In 2009, Nadal was unexpectedly beaten by Robin Söderling, opening a path for Federer.
Federer defeated Söderling in the final in straight sets, 6–1, 7–6, 6–4. The triumph made him the sixth man in tennis history to complete a career Grand Slam and the third man in the Open Era after Rod Laver and Andre Agassi. Later that season, he also won Wimbledon and passed Pete Sampras's record with his 15th major title.