Rafael Nadal emerged triumphant at the French Open for a historic 14th time, defeating the 23-year-old Norwegian player Casper Ruud in straight sets, 6-3 6-3 6-0. In doing so, Nadal not only breaks his own record number of Grand Slam wins in the men’s singles—taking his total tally up to 22—but he also surpasses his own record at Roland Garros, where he last took home the top prize in 2020.
While Nadal was the favorite to win the Musketeers’ Cup today, the efficiency and ease with which he did so only solidified his status as the French Open’s greatest titan. Nadal asserted his dominance from the very beginning, breaking Ruud in just the second game, and despite a few bumps in the road, by the time the second set arrived, Nadal was at the height of his powers. A stunning third set that took just 29 minutes saw Nadal relentlessly drive Ruud back, taking the championship on the Norwegian’s serve with a spectacular backhand winner.
“Merci, merci beaucoup,” said Nadal to an uproarious response from the crowd after the match. “It is completely amazing, the things that are happening this year. I [want to] 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. I never believed I would be here at 36 being competitive [for] one more final. I don’t know what can happen in the future but I am going to keep fighting to try to keep going, so thank you!”
Much of the conversation ahead of the match had focused on Nadal’s unusual relationship with Ruud, with the latter player, who is 13 years Nadal’s junior, having trained at the Spaniard’s Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca since 2018. Before the match, Ruud had told reporters that he was especially excited to reach his first Grand Slam final—and become the first player in his country’s history to reach the final of any major—due to the fact he would be playing his mentor. “I guess this is perfect timing and worth the wait,” Ruud said. “To finally play [Nadal] in a Grand Slam final will be a special moment for me. Hopefully a little bit for him as well.”
Casper Ruud of Norway plays a forehand.Photo: Getty Images
Nadal also expressed his admiration for the young player ahead of their face-off today, and took care to thank him while accepting his trophy. “Casper, it’s a real pleasure to play with you a final here in Roland Garros,” Nadal said. “You are great, [and] I want to congratulate you for the 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.”
Entering the competition this year, Nadal’s fate was anything but certain, even if many predicted that he would find his groove once he hit the familiar territory of the Paris clay courts. Given the player’s lengthy history of injuries, a sense of unpredictability has hung over Nadal’s performance, especially since taking a six-month break last year to address the foot injury that has plagued him since childhood—but after returning to the Australian Open in January, which he won in a similarly history-making victory, Nadal has continued to prove his mettle.
Rumors of his impending retirement may continue to swirl, but today’s match proved once again that there are few players in tennis history as resilient—and as thrilling to watch—as Nadal.
