Spain's Rafael Nadal kisses the trophy after winning the final match against Norway's Casper Ruud in three sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-0, at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Sunday, June 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)Rafael Nadal vs Casper Ruud French Open Final Highlights: Rafael Nadal beat Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in the French Open final for his 14th championship at Roland Garros and 22nd Grand Slam title overall, adding to two records he already owned. Nadal won the last 11 games after trailing 3-1 in the second set. Nadal’s victory Sunday came two days after his 36th birthday and made him the oldest title winner in the history of the clay-court tournament.
Follow <span lang="EN-US" highlights of Rafael Nadal vs Casper Ruud below.
Live Blog
Merci, merci beaucoup. First of all, Casper, it’s a real pleasure to play with you a final here in Roland Garros. You are great. I want to congatulate you for an amazing career you are having.
Especially these two weeks, I think it is a very important step forward. I am very very happy for you and your family and your team. I wish you all the very best for the future.
I have to follow with my team, my family, everybody. It is completely amazing, the things that are happening this year.
I can thank you very very much for all the things you are doing with me and did over all of the years. Without you none of this would be possible. For me personally it is very tough to describe the feelings that I have, it’s something I never believed I would be here at 36 being competitive, one more final. it means everything to keep going.
I want to say merci, merci, beaucoup. For me it’s incredible. I don’t know what can happen in the future but I will fight to keep going.
Up comes Nadal and lifts the trophy for the 14th time. There’s a huge smile on his face. Then comes the Spanish national anthem.
"The first thing, the most important thing, is to congratulate Rafa. It’s the 14th time, your 22nd. We all know what a champion you are. Today I got to feel what it is to play you in a final. I’m not the first victim, there have been many before. We all hope you will continue for some time....Hopefully next year I can learn some French, and I will try. I can’t wait to come back. Thank you and merçi."
Another game and Nadal is 30-0 up. What a backhand volley by Nadal but the return hits the net. Set point for Nadal now. All over. Nadal wins 14th French Open and 22nd Grand Slam.
Nadal is 30-0 up in a flash. Ruud looks out of his depth in this set but manages to get 15 on the board. Another shot as Nadal places it for easy pickings. Absolute domination. Ruud seems starstruck. Out again. Nadal wins this one.
Nadal leads again as Ruud's backhand fails to cross the net. Ruthless from Nadal as he looks shellshocked as Nadal wins his 9th game in a row.
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Another drop shot by Ndal. Ruud scurries it back only for Nadal to smash it beyond him. Different level. What a shot by Ruud. Almost a backhand. No reply for Nadal. Shot of the match. Nothing doing from Nadal as a vicious forehand levels the game up. He is just getting a lot of time to place the ball and Ruud has no answer to the winners. This is done too. Nadal takes this game after a failed drop shot by Ruud.
Great serve from Ruud as Nadal couldn't get this one back. Levels the score 15-15. Nadal overhits. It's 15-30 to him. Nadal pulls it right back with a great forehand. Nadal pounces again. Wins this game too. 7th straight game that he has won.
Effortless from Nadal as he swats away Ruud's shot with ease. Leads 15-0. Finds the net next. Scores get level. That's out by Ruud. Very close. Nadal leads. Dominance from Nadal as Ruud has no answer to Nadal's stinging serve. Out again. Nadal wins first game.
Ruud tries to put everything against Nadal, overhits and that's out. Nadal leads 30-15. Set points now. Ruud has completely lost the plot. Now, Nadal puts one out. Deuce. Another one goes out from Ruud. Advantage Nadal. Ruud utilises the angle and Nadal gets the net. Another is out and Nadal has taken this set
Nadal is ruthless, going to 40-0 by sending Ruud all over the place. And then an ace gets the job done to love.
What a rally and what a finish to it with Ruud's forehand finds the winner. Next one, he puts the ball out of play. Scores level again. Scorching serve by Ruud to take the lead. Out again. Scores level again. Absolutely smashed by Ruud to win the next point with an overhead. Venomous. Hard luck for Ruud as he gets the net and the ball goes over the playing area. Deuce. Nadal smashes to take advantage. Game is Nadal's as he breakls again.
Shot by Nadal as Ruud misses the volley as the Spaniard goes 15-0 up. In the blink of an eye, gets to 30-0. There's the experience of Nadal as he hits a drop shot which leaves Ruud wrong-footed. Ruud finds the net from the Nadal serve. It's 3-3.
Stunner fro Ruud as a running forehand catches Nadal off guard as he levels this one 15-15. Overhits the next shot to give Nadal the lead. Ruud forces a mistake from Nadal and te scores are level. A fault by Ruud now. Another is sent out of play by Ruud and it's Nadal's game.
Ruud leads in the game as Nadal's shot finds the net. Another net from Nadal as he gets 3 break points, builds a 40-0 lead. Finally finding his feet is the Norwegian. Double fault by Nadal and Ruud takes this one.
A slap down the side by Nadal to tie the game up at 15-15. Great shot by Ruud to take the lead. Absolutely flies off his racquet. That's Ruud's game as he takes this one.
Ruthless from Nadal as he is on course to level the game with a 40-0 lead. Masterful by Ruud to turn Nadal's drop shot against him and places it near the net for the points. And it's level with a backhand.
Slow start by Ruud in the first game of the second set as Nadal leads 40-15 after Ruud overhits and puts the ball out of play. Deuce now as this is going down the wire. What a comeback by Ruud. Saves multiple break points to get the lead.