Rafael Nadal wins 14th French Open, extends record to 22 Grand Slams

Rafael Nadal registered a thumping straight-set victory over Casper Ruud to win the final of the French Open 2022. The Spaniard with his 14th French Open crown once again shows why he is called the 'King of Clay' and he also extended his grand slam title tally to 22 going ahead of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Rafael Nadal won a 14th French Open and record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title to become the oldest male champion at Roland Garros. Credit: AFP Photo

In the final, 36-year-old Nadal routed Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 with victory coming 17 years to the day since he claimed his first French Open as a 19-year-old in 2005. Credit: AFP Photo

Nadal won the last 11 games of the final and is now two Grand Slams ahead of old rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer with this victory. Credit: AFP Photo

Nadal, the oldest winner in Paris since 34-year-old Andre Gimeno in 1972, had not been certain of taking part after a chronic left foot injury, which has plagued him throughout his career, flared up again. Credit: AFP Photo

Nadal also needed the best part of a gruelling 12 hours to see off Felix Auger-Aliassime, Djokovic and Alexander Zverev in the previous three rounds. Credit: AFP Photo

Nadal said that taking anaesthetic injections in the nerves in his foot was the only way he could have gotten through the tournament. Credit: AFP Photo

Nadal's two-hour 18-minute romp took his record at the tournament to 112 wins against just three losses and also put him halfway to a calendar men's Grand Slam last achieved by Rod Laver in 1969. Credit: AFP Photo

Nadal, unbeaten in 13 previous finals in Paris and playing in his 30th Grand Slam decider, got off to a flying start against Ruud, the first Norwegian man to feature in a championship match at the majors. Credit: AP Photo

The Spaniard wrapped up the opener in 49 minutes against the 23-year-old. Credit: Reuters Photo

World number eight Ruud, the in-form player on clay since the start of 2020 with 66 wins on the surface, was under siege again in the second set, having to fight off three break points in the opening game. Credit: Reuters Photo