French Open 2022 Men's Final Highlights: Rafael Nadal wins 14th Roland Garros title and 22nd major

Rafa post trophy ceremony

Speaking to NBC’s Maria Taylor: “I would love to keep coming but we need to find a solution for the feet because I can’t keep going like this”

The thing we all wanted to hear!

🗣️ "I don't know what can happen in the future, but I'm going to keep fighting to try to keep going"

@RafaelNadal ❤️💪

📹#RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/5Psh2mrXwi

— ITF (@ITFTennis) June 5, 2022

????

Two Kings of Spain 😁#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/W0VqQZAw2J

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022

Rafael Nadal: “Thank you very much! First of all, it’s been a pleasure to play the final with you (Ruud). Congratulations on these two weeks. I’m very happy for you, your team and your family. Wish you all the luck for the future.”

“My team, my family, who is there. It’s completely amazing the things that are happening this year. Thank you for all we’ve done this year and over the years. All through the years with injuries. Nothing like this would be possible without your support. I would have retired much before!”

“Thank you everyone who made this event possible. For me this tournament is best in the world. All the ball kids, volunteers, tournament directors, you are doing amazing. You make me feel like home. Just thank you to you all and French Federation”

“For me personally, very difficult to describe the feelings. It’s something that I’ve never believed. At 36, competitive, playing in most important court of my career, in a final. To try to keep going. Thank you to everyone in Paris! For me it’s incredible to play here, for all the support. It’s wonderful, thank you so much.”

“I don’t know what will happen in the future but I’ll keep going, I’ll keep fighting”

Casper Ruud: “This is the first time for me! I want to congratulate Rafa. It’s your 14th time here, 22nd at Slams. We all know what a champion you are. Today I got to play you in a final here. But I’m not the first victim! To you Rafa, your team, your academy for taking me into open arms. From me, my family, we hope you continue for some more time. To my team, it’s been a long road. It is a road impossible without all your help. Hope we can continue this journey for more years, more finals and more Grand Slams. Thank you very much. To the city of Paris, supporters, it has been unbelievable. To see full stadiums is inspiring, you’ve been nice to me for whole two weeks so thank you. It gives me motivation to come back and hope next year I can speak some French. To the organisers, thank you for all the help. Thank you for the last three weeks. Merci!”

BJK with the trophy presentation

Forever a legend, @BillieJeanKing 👋#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/4u1CsvsOx4

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022

How Nadal got the job done!

King of Clay x 14 👑@RafaelNadal remains undefeated in Paris finals, conquering Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 for a 14th title#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/GctcC17Ah8

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022

Rafael Nadal is the French Open champion

RAFAEL NADAL IS THE FRENCH OPEN CHAMPION FOR A 14th TIME! He beats Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 for his 22nd Grand Slam title and becomes the oldest champion at Roland Garros

Updated record:

Champion: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022

Win-loss: 112-3

Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Ruud has lost the last 10 games and is now serving to avoid a bagel. Starts off by sending his forehand long and it is 0-15. Followed by a Nadal backhand winner down the line after pushing Ruud to the other corner. A 35th winner for Rafa. Nadal almost making it 0-40 after picking up a drop shot and almost getting a backhand smash back. Nadal with a backhand cross court winner and it brings up two championship points. One saved! Nadal’s return on the serve is a mishit and it goes wide. The victory is sealed with a winner! Nadal is the French Open champion!

Nadal* 6-3, 6-3, 4-0 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Make that nine games in a row for Nadal. Ruud is broken at love after sending a volley right into the net. This is getting away from Ruud and rather quickly!

Ruud may not be walking away with the winner’s trophy today but he has played arguably the shot of the match

👀🔥@CasperRuud98 | #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/07yi2zgwbl

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) June 5, 2022

6-3, 6-3, 3-0 to Nadal

Rafael Nadal is motoring towards a 14th French Open title! He wins an eighth consecutive game to lead 6-3, 6-3, 3-0

Ruud has won just 14 points in the last 8 games#RolandGarros Live: https://t.co/Jd1yEGjLBF pic.twitter.com/hiKzdccKyl

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 5, 2022

Just 24 days ago, Nadal could barely play without wincing

I still can't believe this was just 24 days ago pic.twitter.com/LCJMPAbzHS

— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) June 5, 2022

Nadal* 6-3, 6-3, 2-0 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Ruud’s backhand hits the top of the net and the ball sits up perfectly for Nadal to run along and hit a forehand winner to bring up a break point at 30-40. BREAK! Nadal pounces, takes the backhand early and slaps a cross court winner with Ruud beaten

Nadal after going two sets to love up

After going up 2 sets to 0, Rafael Nadal is:
- 12-0 in major finals (8-0 at French Open)
- 33-0 in major semifinals/finals
- 91-0 at the French Open
- 236-2 at all majors pic.twitter.com/Imp98Sxpjb

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) June 5, 2022

Just when you think you have Rafael Nadal beat…

Nowhere on the court is safe 💪#RolandGarros | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/jqClIqFn12

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022

Set 2 in numbers

Second set: Rafael Nadal 6-3

Rafael Nadal takes five straight games to win the second set 6-3 over Casper Ruud and he is two sets to love up. Ruud handing the set with a double fault on fourth set point opportunity

Stat: Nadal when leading two sets to love: 256-3 and 90-0 at Roland Garros

Nadal* 6-3, 6-3 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Ruud serving to stay in this set. Nadal has the court gaping, plenty of time to place a short ball but does too much with the angle and it is 15-0. With a high ball at the net, Nadal deflects the backhand volley for a winner to make it 15-15. Nadal and Ruud going side-to-side before Casper’s herculean effort to chase things down sees the ball go long. With the sun shining, Nadal has found his range so so well now. A forehand winner brings up two set points. The serve return goes long and that’s one set point saved. Once again! Ruud swings and the Nadal slice backhand is into the gallery. Ruud’s serve down the T is returned deep and he is required to play two more balls and misses a forehand to bring up a third set point for Rafa. Saved! Ruud and Nadal using plenty of wrist to find angles, to go cross, go deep and eventually Rafa errs. Ruud looks to go behind Nadal but the direction isn’t right and it allows Rafa to hit a forehand winner to bring up a fourth set point. SECOND SET NADAL! A double fault from Ruud hands Nadal the second set

Nadal 6-3, 5-3 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Nadal with a forehand into the corner after a big serve and Ruud’s running shot is well long. The Spaniard holds to love with an ace down the T.

Nadal* 6-3, 4-3 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Nadal rocks into his forehand and slaps a cross court winner with plenty of spin to it and it brings up a break point. BREAK! Nadal runs along to pick up a drop shot and the ball is at Ruud’s feet. The Norwegian player plays a half-volley but it goes marginally long. The chair umpire confirms it is long and Nadal wins a third game in a row

Reminiscent of the semi-final where Nadal saved four sets points in the first set tiebreak. But boy was that so, so much better!

pic.twitter.com/1TKhJxQiHa

— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) June 5, 2022

Nadal* 6-3, 2-3 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Now Ruud has his serve put under pressure. At 30-30, he goes for a huge forehand but misses by a good margin. Break point for Nadal. BREAK BACK! Nadal with big celebrations as Ruud’s sliding, defensive forehand goes wide. The Spaniard forcing Ruud into playing some defensive tennis and he’s rewarded with a break

Wow! What a run!

Rafael Nadal has won 26 consecutive tour-level finals in which he's won the opening set. The last time he lost a tour final after winning the first set was 2014 in Rome against Novak Djokovic. pic.twitter.com/zb9bcUsLje

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) June 5, 2022

Nadal 6-3, 1-3 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Nadal has his serve under the pump after missing a half volley to see it become 0-30. Ruud with perfect tennis – finding the angles, going cross court and then a sliding slice backhand that goes over the top part of the net and Nadal’s shot is into the net. 0-40 and three break points. Double fault! Third double fault of the match from Nadal and Ruud BREAKS at love!

Nadal* 6-3, 1-2 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Nadal not coverting a solitary break point he had in the first game of the second set. Since then, it has been comfortable for both players to keep the second set on serve

pic.twitter.com/YdsuAyxtME

— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) June 5, 2022

Celebrity watch

Celebrities in attendance: 🇪🇸 King Felipe VI, 🇳🇴Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, actors Michael Douglas, Hugh Grant, Sienna Miller, former tennis players Billie Jean King, Edberg, Kuerten, Stan Smith, footballers Lewandowski, Verratti
Live: https://t.co/Jd1yEGjLBF pic.twitter.com/3HIkiZmtBD

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 5, 2022

First set in numbers

First set: Rafael Nadal 6-3

Rafael Nadal wins the opening set 6-3 over Casper Ruud and he is two sets away from a 14th French Open title. Nadal is 11-3 in first set of French Open finals. After three straight breaks in the opening stages, both players remain on serve for the rest.

Nadal 6-3 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Rafa serving for the first set. Nadal with an error on 15-0 and then Ruud with a cruncher on the forehand for a down the line winner. 15-30. Nadal serve out wide and the Ruud return goes well long to make it 30-30. Another helpful serve, another return goes wide. Nadal with another angled first serve and the return almost takes out chair umpire James Keothavong. First set to Rafael Nadal!

Nadal* 5-3 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Casper Ruud serving to stay in the first set. Nadal, Ruud trade blows from the back before Rafa moves up to close the point out with a perfect volley. Up next, Ruud does the same. Eventually a comfortable hold for Ruud and puts the onus on Rafa to serve the first set out

French Open sets attendance record

Total attendance for this year’s French Open, with the night sessions, was 613,500, according to FFT president Gilles Moretton.  Still far from the US Open record figure of 737,000 from 2019.

Nadal* 4-2 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Ruud starts off the sixth game exceptionally. Plays a delicate drop shot that is well disguised and perfectly hit to disallow Nadal from even bothering to chase it down. Nadal with a backhand into the tramlines and Ruud holds serve for the first time in the final

Nadal 4-1 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

The streak of breaks ends with Nadal holding serve by dropping just one point. He moved along to 40-0 before Ruud found the line and then hit a winner. But Nadal closes it out by forcing Ruud into a mistake

Nadal* 3-1 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Rafael Nadal BREAKS! Third break in the first four games of the final and this has been a very inconsistent start from both players. Neither finding their range, neither getting much on their shots. Is it because of the fact they know each other well having played on a practice court often? Anyway, a Ruud miss is into the net and Nadal has the two-game cushion back

Celebrities in attendance

Actor Michael Douglas, Sienna Miller, Hugh Grant, former tennis champions Stefan Edberg, Stan Smith, Gustavo Kuerten, footballers Robert Lewandowski, Marco Verratti

Nadal 2-1 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Ruud breaks Nadal back straight away and the first set is back on serve. After breaking Ruud’s serve, Nadal throws the advantage away with a shaky game. He serves two double faults and a tame forehand is into the net

King in attendance for King on court

King of Spain watching the King of Clay. pic.twitter.com/Wq7P3vUsX9

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 5, 2022

Nadal 1-0 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Rafael Nadal gets the final underway. And he drops just one point to get himself on the board. Touch of nerves even when he’s won this 13 times