Digital Desk : Rafael Nadal won his 14th French Open title
and a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam trophy on Sunday, defeating Casper Ruud
in straight sets to become Roland Garros' oldest male champion. Nadal, 36, won
6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in a disappointing final, 17 years to the day after claiming his
first French Open title as a 19-year-old in 2005. Nadal won the final 11 games
to go two Slams ahead of former rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, with
his victory on Sunday coming against all odds.
After a longstanding left foot injury, which has plagued him
throughout his career, flared up again, Nadal, the oldest champion in Paris
since a 34-year-old Andre Gimeno in 1972, wasn't sure he'd be able to compete.
In the previous three rounds, he needed the better part of a
12-hour marathon to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander
Zverev.
His two-hour 18-minute victory on Sunday improved his
tournament record to 112 victories and three losses, putting him halfway to a
calendar men's Grand Slam last accomplished by Rod Laver in 1969.
Nadal, unbeaten in 13 previous finals in Paris and playing
in his 30th Grand Slam decider, got off to a flying start against Ruud, the
first Norwegian man to feature in a championship match at the majors.
He broke for 2-0 and even though he handed the break
straight back courtesy of a two uncharacteristic double faults, he was quickly
back in front again for 3-1.
The Spaniard wrapped up the opener in 49 minutes against his
23-year-old opponent who has trained at his academy in Manacor since 2018.
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