French Open Champions before Rafael Nadal

#3 Jan Kodes (1970-71)

Jan Kodes won two consecutive French Open titles, in 1970 and ‘71.

The Czech, who never played in the Australian Open, won three Grand Slam titles in his entire career, of which two were earned at Roland Garros.

Jan Kodes, a clay-court specialist, thrived on the Parisian dust, where he toppled Zelko Franulovic in the 1970 French Open final and got the better of Ille Nastase the following year. He was clinical in the ’70 final against Franulovic, whom he defeated in straight sets, even handing him a bagel in the third.

In 1973, Kodes won, what was the last Grand Slam of his career at Wimbledon, beating Alex Metreveli in a one-sided final.