French Open: Rafael Nadal defeated Casper Ruud in the final of the French Open on Sunday, claiming his 14th title and extending his Grand Slam record to 22.
On Court Philippe Chatrier, the 36-year-old Spaniard used all of his years of experience to demolish the Norwegian eighth seed 6-3 6-3 6-0.
Nadal, who has only lost three times at Roland Garros since his debut in 2005, is 36 years old and suffering from a severe foot condition that has sparked retirement rumours.
But in their first competitive clash, he brushed away Ruud, putting him two points ahead of great rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Nadal scotched any notions of hanging up his racket in his acceptance speech.
“It’s tough for me to put into words the sentiments I’m experiencing,” he stated.
“I never imagined I’d be here at 36, competitive again, playing in a final on the most significant court of my career.”
“It means the world to me.” Trying to keep going takes a lot of energy. I simply want to say ‘thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you
“I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m going to keep fighting to see if I can keep going.”
The underdog received a nasty awakening when he was broken right away, and while Nadal let him off the hook with a sloppy service game, the first set was quickly won.
In the second, a double fault gave Ruud a break to love for a 3-1 lead, but he was unable to extend the lead as Nadal drew on his reserves to hit straight back.
Ruud shook his head in disbelief when a forehand winner whizzed down the line to bring up set point, then instantly double-faulted to give Nadal a 2-0 lead.
Little went right for Norway’s first male Grand Slam finalist, and Nadal was two breaks down after a routine volley into the net.
In the end, it was a procession with a band in the stands playing ‘Viva Espana’ as Nadal added ‘decimocuarto’ to the Australian Open he won earlier this year after winning his 11th consecutive game.
It remains to be seen whether his ageing, ailing body will allow him to collect any more, but by reclaiming the Musketeers’ Cup, Nadal has reached the halfway point of the calendar Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
Ruud’s name was added to a list of victims also including Djokovic, Federer, Ferrer, Mariano Puerta, Robin Soderling, Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka.
“This is a first for me, so let’s see how I do,” he responded graciously in defeat. The first and most important thing to do is congratulate Rafa on his achievement.
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