Nadal wins 14th French Open, record-extending 22nd Grand Slam
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Rafael becomes the oldest male champion at Roland Garros after winning the French Open against world number eight Casper Ruud.
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Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal
Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal won a 14th French Open and record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title on Sunday against Casper Ruud, becoming the oldest male champion at Roland Garros.
The 36-year-old Nadal won 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 with the victory coming 17 years to the day since he claimed his first French Open as a 19-year-old in 2005.
King of Clay x 14 👑@RafaelNadal remains undefeated in Paris finals, conquering Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 for a 14th title#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/GctcC17Ah8
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022
Nadal won the last 11 games of the final and is now two Slams ahead of old rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer with Sunday's victory coming against all odds.
Nadal, the oldest winner in Paris since a 34-year-old Andre Gimeno in 1972, had not been certain of taking part after a chronic left foot injury, which has plagued him throughout his career, flared up again.
On the eve of the final, Nadal had said he would rather lose Sunday's match in exchange for a new foot.
His two-hour, 18-minute win on Sunday took his record at the tournament to 112 wins against just three losses.
🏆 Friends Forever 🏆#RolandGarros | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/VIT4eDCeZV
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022
Nadal, unbeaten in 13 previous finals in Paris and playing in his 30th Grand Slam final, faced world number eight Ruud, the first Norwegian man to feature in a championship match at the majors.
