Nadal wins record-extending 14th French Open title

Rafael Nadal, yesterday, beat Casper Ruud in straight sets to win his record 14th French Open title.

The ‘King of Clay’ was once more imperial in Paris, beating Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.

The Spaniard dominated yesterday’s final and won 11 consecutive games across the second and third sets to wrap up a 22nd grand slam title — two ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at the top of the men’s all-time list.

The victory also means the 36-year-old Nadal, who won his first French Open title 17 years ago, becomes the oldest men’s singles champion at Roland Garros.

“For me, personally, it’s very difficult to describe the feelings that I have,” Nadal said.

“It’s something that I for sure never believed I’d be here at 36, being competitive again, playing in the most important court of my career one more final — it means a lot to me.”

Nadal moved two grand slams ahead of Djokovic and Federer at the French Open.

It was a case of the master against the apprentice at Roland Garros with Ruud, who has trained at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca since 2018 and admired Nadal when he progressed through the tennis ranks, appearing in his first French Open final.

He later paid tribute to Nadal, saying in his on-court interview: “We all know what a champion you are and today I got to feel how it is to play against you in the final. It’s not easy and I’m not the first victim — I know that there have been many before.”

Nadal was defeated by Djokovic in the semifinals of last year’s French Open — ending a run of four consecutive titles — but defeated his rival in the quarters this year before a walkover against Alexander Zverev in the semis.

The win against Ruud backs up the Australian Open title he won in January, the first time in his career Nadal has won the first two grand slams in the calendar year.