Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Rafael Nadal rarely needs help to win on clay, but in the end on Monday he got some from Novak Djokovic to win the men’s French Open final, 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, for his seventh singles championship at Roland Garros.

After play, which was postponed because of rain on Sunday, resumed in the fourth set with Djokovic up a break, Nadal quickly broke to level the set. Djokovic eventually ended the seesaw match with a double fault on Nadal’s first championship point, sending the Spaniard Nadal to his knees in joy.

With his victory, Nadal became the first man to claim seven titles at Roland Garros, and tied Rod Laver with his 11th overall major title. The loss ended Djokovic’s chance to become the first man since Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam titles at once.