(June 5, 2022) Rafael Nadal extended his record number of major titles to 22 on Sunday in Paris when he defeated No. 8 seed Casper Ruud in the final of the French Open 6-3, 6-3, 6-0. Not only does the Spaniard have a record 22 major singles trophies, but he also has a stunning 14 Roland Garros crowns. Ruud, 23, who trains at Nadal’s academy in Spain was making his major final debut as the first Norwegian to get to that stage.
Nadal closed out the match by winning the last 11 straight games.
Nadal at 36 is the oldest man to win the French Open in the Open Era.
The fifth seed Nadal now leads both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in total major titles 22-20. Nadal having won the Australian Open in January and now the French Open, is halfway through the calendar Grand Slam.
On the road to title, Nadal knocked out four Top 10 seeds, only the third man to do it at a major. Nadal beat Felix Auger-Aliassime, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev and No. 8 Ruud. Nadal will move up to No. 4 in the rankings.
More to follow….