Rafael Nadal powered past Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 to win his 14th French Open championship, his 22nd major overall, adding to two records he already holds. There has arguably never been more of a gap of experience between two players in a Grand Slam final, as Rafael Nadal sought a possible record-extending 14th French Open title and 22nd grand slam crown against Casper Ruud. Rafael Nadal wins another Grand Slam; Rafael Nadal defeated C Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 on Sunday to claim his 14th singles title at Roland Garros, 22nd grand slam singles title, a record 36-year-old Spaniard in each category. A painful foot injury left Rafael Nadal acknowledging during the run to the title that this could be his last French Open. It added to the drama as he survived marathon matches from Felix Auger-Aliassime, and then from great rival Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.
Nadal won the final 11 games to make the frustrating last and is now two Slams clear of longtime rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, with Sunday’s win coming against the odds. With the victory, Nadal also cemented himself as the 14th legend at Roland Garros, remaining unbeaten at the event. Nadal has now won two Slams this season, following a triumphant Australian Open victory in January. The loss was also Rafael Nadals 22nd major, improving his men’s tennis record, and the halfway point in his calendar slam following a victory in January Australian Open.
Victory in the final of the 30th Major for Rafael Nadal will be the most significant result of Nadal’s career, surpassing even his surprise success at the Australian Open this year, in which he won his record 21st Major, according to his manager, Carlos Moya. If Rafael Nadal wins his 14th French Open title — he is never lost a final at Roland Garros before — he will also extend his record of longest time between men’s grand slam titles. Rafael Nadal’s 22 grand slam titles – four U.S. Opens, two Wimbledons, and two Australian Opens, along with Nadals 14 French Open titles – are also the most by one man.
Entering his 14th final, Ruud had won 10 straight matches and 13 out of 14, leading the tour with seven clay-court titles since the beginning of 2020. Casper Ruud felt the backing from himself, mainly as he went briefly ahead in the second set, and a few on the stands marked points that he had won with drawn-out chants of his surname, Ruuuuuud, which looked like they could have been booed. Casper Ruud led 3-1 in the second set, a deficit that pushed Nadal up his game – he took the final 11 games.
