French Open 2022 LIVE: Result as Rafael Nadal wins 22nd grand slam title by beating Casper Ruud

Follow live reaction after Rafael Nadal defeated Casper Ruud to win a record-extending 14th French Open and 22nd grand slam title, in what is perhaps the toughest and most remarkable triumph of the Spaniard’s storied career at Roland Garros.

At 36, Nadal becomes the oldest French Open champion in history and his victory on the Paris clay comes just weeks after his participation in the tournament was thrown into doubt due to a painful foot injury.

It left Nadal admitting throughout his run to the title that this French Open could be his last and heightened the drama as he survived marathon matches against Felix Auger-Aliassime and then his great rival Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

Nadal progressed to a 30th grand slam final after his opponent Alexander Zverev suffered a horrific ankle injury in Friday’s semi-final, with the players still yet to complete the second set after three hours on court.

But Nadal recovered physically and the final was rather more straightforward, as the Spaniard used his experience to dispatch the 23-year-old Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 on what was the Norwegian’s first appearance in a grand slam final. Follow reaction from the French Open men’s final, below:

French Open men’s final: Latest score and updates

• Nadal: ‘I am going to keep fighting to try to keep going'

• Nadal wins 14th French Open with 6-3 6-3 6-0 masterpiece

• Nadal wins five games in a row to take second set 6-3

• Nadal takes opening set 6-3 in 51 minutes

• Dominant Swiatek claims women’s title against Gauff

• More heartbreak for Gauff as Mladenovic and Garcia win doubles

• Hewett and Reid make it 10 slams in a row in wheelchair doubles

French Open dominance continues: A look at Rafael Nadal’s 22 grand slam titles

Sunday 5 June 2022 18:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Rafael Nadal has won a 14th French Open title after beating Casper Ruud at Roland Garros.

Victory extended the Spaniard’s advantage at the top of the all-time Grand Slam standings with his 22nd title.

Here, the PA news agency details Nadal’s major triumphs.

Nadal crushes Ruud to win 14th French Open and 22nd grand slam title

Sunday 5 June 2022 18:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Rafael Nadal defeated Casper Ruud in straight sets to win a record-extending 14th French Open and 22nd grand slam title, in what is perhaps the toughest and most remarkable triumph of the Spaniard’s storied career at Roland Garros.

At 36, Nadal becomes the oldest French Open champion in history and his victory on the Paris clay comes just weeks after his participation in the tournament was thrown into doubt due to a painful foot injury.

It left Nadal admitting throughout his run to the title that this French Open could be his last and heightened the drama as he survived marathon matches against Felix Auger-Aliassime and then his great rival Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

“For me, it’s hard to describe the feelings I have. I would not believe I would be here at 36,” said Nadal, who used his experience to dispatch the 23-year-old Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 on what was the Norwegian’s first appearance in a grand slam final.

Report:

Rafael Nadal crushes Casper Ruud to win 14th French Open and 22nd grand slam title

Nadal will be motivated by calendar Grand Slam, Henman suggests

Sunday 5 June 2022 17:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Tim Henman hopes the chance to complete the calendar Grand Slam will motivate Rafael Nadal to play at Wimbledon and beyond.

Eurosport pundit and former British number one Henman said: “When you have won as much as he has, you just never know what’s around the corner.

“I think he has been very frank, and very honest, to say that he doesn’t know if he is going to be back here. But when you see a performance like that – he’s 3-1 down in the second set, he wins 11 games in a row – it was just another clay-court masterclass.

“You would have thought that when he wins these big titles – don’t forget he’s won the Australian Open, the French Open, now you can talk about the grand slam being on – surely it is going to motivate him to keep on going.

“That’s what we are keeping our fingers crossed for because it’s a privilege to see one of the greatest champions in our sport playing like that.”

Rafael Nadal will be motivated by calendar Grand Slam, Tim Henman suggests

Rafael Nadal wins the French Open

Sunday 5 June 2022 17:13 , Jamie Braidwood

Nadal speaking to Eurosport: “If I don’t believe [I can win], I won’t be here. But no, it is a big surprise. The preparation was not ideal. I had one month of practice and then I had the foot - it stays there all the time but it was bad in Rome. I had my doctor here with me and we played here with an injection in the foot. I didn’t have any feeling, the foot was asleep.”

Asked how many injections he got during the tournament, he replies “You don’t want to know”.

Rafael Nadal wins the French Open

Sunday 5 June 2022 17:10 , Jamie Braidwood

The final stroke that completed the masterpiece.

Rafael Nadal wins the French Open

Sunday 5 June 2022 17:04 , Jamie Braidwood

“We’ve been coming here for 17 years, and yet Nadal is getting better. The shot selection, the angles,” the former French Open champion Mats Wilander tells Eurosport.

Rafael Nadal wins the French Open

Sunday 5 June 2022 17:03 , Jamie Braidwood

“I am going to keep fighting to try to keep going.”

We should not take this for granted, but you cannot help to think about what comes next.

Can Nadal make it to Wimbledon? This is the first time in his career that he has won the Australian and French Opens in the same year. Is the calendar slam really on?

It’s incredible that discussion is even taking place.

Rafael Nadal wins the French Open

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:51 , Jamie Braidwood

“Rafa, Rafa!” cry the crowd as the Spanish national anthem plays. Nadal been making this corner of Paris his home since 2005.

“Merci,” he starts. “First of all, Casper. It is a pleasure to play a final with you . I would like to congratulate you for an amazing tournament and career so far. I wish you all the best for the future.”

He follows by thanking his team. “It’s amazing the things that are happening this year. Without you it would not be possible. I would have retired long ago if it had not been for you.”

Nadal then thanks the tournament organisers. “It’s the best in the world,” he says. “All the ball boys, volunteers, people behind the scenes. You make me feel like home.

“For me. It’s hard to describe the feelings I have. I would not believe I would be here at 36. It means a lot, it means a lot of energy to keep going. I just want to say, thank you Paris.

But this - this is the big one.

“I don’t know what can happen in the future but I am going to keep fighting to try to keep going.”

A HUGE roar rings around Philippe-Chatrier. There will be more on that later I am sure.

Rafael Nadal wins the French Open

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:49 , Jamie Braidwood

And here, for the 14th time, comes the champion.

Nadal lifts the French Open trophy high above his head.

He will not be taking this for granted - he cannot afford to do so anymore.

Rafael Nadal wins the French Open

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Here’s Casper Ruud: “This is the first time for me, but the first thing to do is to congratulate Rafa. This is your 14th title here, 22nd in a grand slam. Today I got to feel what it is like to play you and I know I’m not the first victim! There have been many more!

“You, your team, your family, you have taken me in to your academy. You’re an inspiration and I hope you continue for some time.”

Ruud then thanks his own team. “I hope we can continue this journey.” An excellent speech from an impressive young player.

Rafael Nadal wins the French Open

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:41 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s time for the trophy celebration, as the stage is assembled on Philippe-Chatrier.

The tennis icon Billie Jean King will be doing the presentation.

RAFAEL NADAL WINS THE FRENCH OPEN

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:40 , Jamie Braidwood

“I’m happy for you,” were Ruud’s words at the net as he met Nadal.

This was a tough defeat but the 23-year-old will be back.

RAFAEL NADAL WINS THE FRENCH OPEN

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:36 , Jamie Braidwood

Simply stunning. Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya said if the 36-year-old won in Roland Garros this week it would be the biggest title of his career.

It’s hard to argue. What an achievement.

RAFAEL NADAL WINS THE FRENCH OPEN

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:31 , Jamie Braidwood

14 French Opens, 22 grand slams. Simply incredible.

Nadal puts his head in his hands, throws his racket to the clay and embraces Ruud at the net.

He lifts his arms into the sky and punches his fist, celebrating another triumph on Philippe-Chatrier.

French Open: Nadal 6-3 6-3 6-0 Ruud - Game, set and match!

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:31 , Jamie Braidwood

The crowd are urging Ruud to avoid the bagel and make Nadal serve it out - but Nadal is in no mood for that. A backhand winner down the line sees the Spaniard move to 0-30. It’s relentless.

A forehand winner after scrambling back would have really topped it off, but he nets. You’re almost surprised when he does.

Nadal returns on the backhand side - another winner the latest stroke on what has been a masterpiece of a third set.

Two championship points - Nadal shanks a backhand wide on the first.

Now the second - and the backhand winner catches the line! He’s done it!

French Open: Nadal 6-3 6-3 5-0 Ruud*

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:26 , Jamie Braidwood

It seems Nadal is winning every point now, Ruud is only managing to score on errors. It’s just majestic from the King of Clay, who is surging clear now and towards a remarkable title.

A delicious volley at the net brings up 40-15 and a forehand long from Ruud seals the hold.

One game away now.

French Open: *Nadal 6-3 6-3 4-0 Ruud - Nadal breaks

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:22 , Jamie Braidwood

The winners keep flowing from Nadal, as the skies above Philippe-Chatrier brighten and the pace of his ball quickens. Both on the forehand and backhand sides, Nadal is whipping it past Ruud and surges into a 0-40 lead.

It’s harsh on Ruud, this match is already over, and the second break is sealed as he nets on a serve and volley attempt.

Nine games in row now.

French Open: Nadal 6-3 6-3 3-0 Ruud*

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:17 , Jamie Braidwood

We’ve just past two hours of this match and yet it still feels as if Nadal is getting better. He whips a couple of lovely passing winners on the forehand side, in between a cute angled volley from Ruud, before coming up with a third winner to move to 40-30.

And the streak continues. Ruud set the point up well as he opened up the court but his touch at the net let him down.

French Open: *Nadal 6-3 6-3 2-0 Ruud - Nadal breaks!

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:12 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s so tough for Ruud as he sees a forehand drift long and brings up another nervy 30-30 points. A forehand from the baseline clips the net cord as Nadal steps in to put away the winner.

Break point - and it’s far too good from Nadal as he steps into a short ball from Ruud and puts away the backhand winner.

Seven games in row for Nadal and the title is in sight.

French Open: Nadal 6-3 6-3 1-0 Ruud*

Sunday 5 June 2022 16:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Five games in a row becomes six as Nadal holds to 15 with a comfortable hold.

Ruud needs to stop the slide now. The fact he lost his serve to lose the second set means his uphill task is even harder.

French Open: Nadal 6-3 6-3 Ruud - Nadal breaks to win second set!

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:55 , Jamie Braidwood

Quite brilliant from Nadal as he senses the opportunity to finish this set off right now by stepping in and putting away the backhand volley.

Ruud goes long from the middle of the court and he now faces 15-30 against a rampant Spaniard.

Stunning. Nadal pins Ruud into the backhand side and then runs around a short ball to whip the forehand winner into the open space.

Two set points - Nadal gifts away the first as he sends a second-serve return long, as Ruud hangs in with an aggressive hitting to the lines and Nadal goes wide.

From there, Ruud is forced to save another set point as he finds his forehand across court and opens the angle, with Nadal netting on the slide.

But it’s brilliant from Nadal, who if left a window from Ruud for the forehand pass and makes it superbly down the line.

Set point, number four - and this time Ruud cracks with a double fault. That is tough, but Nadal has come flying back to win five games in a row and take the second set.

French Open: Nadal 6-3 5-3 Ruud*

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:47 , Jamie Braidwood

Ooft. A hold to love from Nadal in a matter of seconds. It was as emphatic as that sounds - sealed with an ace up the middle.

French Open: *Nadal 6-3 4-3 Ruud - Nadal breaks!

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:43 , Jamie Braidwood

Great play from both players to open up the angles of the court before Ruud sticks away the backhand winner crosscourt on the run.

It then gets a bit loose, though, as Ruud chucks a forehand long under little pressure to bring up a nervy 30-30.

Some great defence from Nadal keeps the point alive after Ruud found a big first serve, but he finally puts the smash away.

Ruud gets a little unlucky as a backhand clips the net cord and goes long, as Nadal goes on the attack with brutal hitting on his backhand side and a crosscourt winner into the corner

Break point - and Nadal gets it! Ruud went for the drop shot but Nadal flicked it back on the stretch, as Ruud went an inch long with the lob.

It was so important that Ruud stayed ahead in this set. He has played much better but still finds himself a break down. There’s a long way back from here.

French Open: Nadal 6-3 3-3 Ruud*

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Brilliant from Nadal, first to play the backhand winner past Ruud as he rushed the net and then to flick a drop shot onto the line to race to 30-0.

Ruud did a little skip as he went for the backspin drop shot but Nadal met it and put it back with a backhand winner down the line.

Ruud is unable to return to serve out wide from Nadal and there’s a hold to love, as the authority returns. Ruud needs to get his momentum back.

French Open: *Nadal 6-3 2-3 Ruud - Nadal breaks!

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Well, well - just when it felt like Ruud had arrived. That was what it seemed when the 23-year-old played a brilliant inside out forehand down the line that sent Nadal scampering.

It slips away though, as three errors cost him. It came as both players go high and Ruud pushes the backhand long. From there, a forehand off the back of a short Nadal return missed and on break point, Nadal stayed patient and Ruud gave him the miss he was waiting for.

Another swing, and a disappointing one for Ruud.

French Open: Nadal 6-3 1-3 Ruud* - Ruud breaks!

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Interesting... Nadal opens his service game with an error and then elects to serve and volley at 0-15, only to drop the volley into the net! Good return from Ruud and a chance at 0-30.

Excellent from Ruud! He plays a magnificent angled backhand to drag Nadal across the court and a sliding backhand into the net from Nadal brings up three break points.

And would you believe it! The double faults returns from Nadal, and Ruud breaks to get ahead in the second set!

French Open: *Nadal 6-3 1-2 Ruud

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Nadal unloads on a forehand winner after the longest rally of the match so far - 16 shots - but it’s then Ruud who dictates the rally as he finds the lines and puts away the forehand winner.

More good play from Ruud as Nadal goes wide on the backhand, before the Norwegian flies into the net and sticks away the volley to take the hold to 15.

I think that was his best game of the match yet.

French Open: Nadal 6-3 1-1 Ruud*

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Nadal springs into action as Ruud leaves him a chance with a volley at the net, as the 36-year-old puts away the backhand winner. Nadal then drops a backhand past Ruud, before he switches it up with the drop shot. Ruud reaches it and replies with a lovely angled shot across the net.

The hold is quickly sealed as Nadal powers a backhand winner, his third of the game, past Ruud.

French Open: *Nadal 6-3 0-1 Ruud

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:11 , Jamie Braidwood

Ruud immediately finds himself in a tough spot at 0-30 after a forehand error. Another flies past the baseline to bring up two break points for Nadal.

And that was a chance! Ruud plays the drop volley which Nadal reaches. Ruud then goes for the lob but it didn’t clear Nadal, only for the Spaniard to net on the backhand smash.

Still, pressure. And that was a better chance! Nadal had a window on the forehand as the ball sat up, but misses!

Nadal goes short and to Ruud’s backhand on his return but there’s another error from the 23-year-old as he looked for the angle.

He hangs in with a good fix on the forehand, before playing an excellent drop shot from the baseline that Nadal can only pick up into the net.

This would be quite the save - and he gets it as he crushes an inside out forehand. That could be so important.

French Open: Nadal 6-3 Ruud*

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:05 , Jamie Braidwood

That was a fairly straight-forward opening set for Nadal, who has really seen it all over the past three matches. Ruud needs a response now, needs to make it difficult. It’s a tough, tough ask, but he’s got to find a way or else this final is going to disappear in a blink of an eye.

Second set is underway.

French Open: Nadal 6-3 Ruud* - Nadal takes the opening set!

Sunday 5 June 2022 15:02 , Jamie Braidwood

An opening error on Ruud’s forehand side is an early gift from the 23-year-old, but that’s followed up by a miss from Nadal and then an excellent winner from Ruud down the line!

Now then, 15-30 - but Ruud would want that return back as Nadal finds an important first serve. Nadal then comes up with another, as Ruud pushes the forehand wide, to bring up two points for Nadal.

And there it is, Nadal delivers another first serve onto Ruud’s backhand and the return is so wild it crashes into the umpire’s chair.

French Open: *Nadal 5-3 Ruud

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:57 , Jamie Braidwood

Ruud gets his hands on some new balls as he serves to stay in the set. A couple of beautiful forehands sends Nadal running as he puts away the winner to move to 30-0.

Nadal comes into the net and shows a lovely touch to make the volley - as a stat flashes up to show he’s won all eight of his net points so far.

Ruud responds with a lovely dipping volley of his own after following up on the forehand.

40-15, and Ruud stays in it as Nadal pushes a forehand wide.

Nadal will have to serve for it.

French Open: Nadal 5-2 Ruud*

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Ruud is not trusting his backhand as he runs around two balls from Nadal and puts one into the net. Nadal ups the pressure on the forehand and the sliding lob from Ruud drifts long. A window then opens for Nadal to dispatch a forehand winner down the line, after pinning Ruud back into the opposite corner.

Ruud makes it awkward as he finds the baseline and then tramlines to make Nadal run, suddenly getting himself back to 40-30.

Ruud then reads the Nadal drop shot but can’t do enough with the volley across court, as Nadal puts the winner away down the line.

French Open: *Nadal 4-2 Ruud

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:46 , Jamie Braidwood

There’s quite a different feel to his opening set to the fraught tension and strain of the previous matches against Djokovic and Zverev, and Nadal is freeing up as he unleashes a perfect forehand into the corner. Ruud hits back with a lovely drop shot that catches Nadal off guard but a grunt and a forehand winner later it’s back to 30-30.

Ruud finds his best serve of the match so far - and he gets his first hold of the match as Nadal then pushes a backhand wide.

French Open: Nadal 4-1 Ruud*

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:41 , Jamie Braidwood

There’s more of that authority from Nadal, who quickly wins the first two points on his serve and then steps in to put away a forehand winner past Ruud.

Ruud replies with his best backhand of the match that sends Nadal stretching and this time he puts away the forehand smash.

But he can’t do anything with the big serve down the middle from Nadal, who moves into a 4-1 lead.

French Open: *Nadal 3-1 Ruud - Nadal breaks!

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Nadal got his nose in front on Ruud’s next service game but the 23-year-old replies with a fine forehand winner down the line. He loses the technique on the next point, flashing the inside out wide. Pressure on the second serve at 15-30 but Nadal nets on the forehand - another poor miss.

Ruud goes on the attack at 30-30, running around his forehand to go for Nadal’s backhand wing and then switch it up with another winner down the line.

Game point - but Nadal goes for Ruud’s backhand with more of an angle, and the Norwegian balloons one over the baseline.

And that’s a poor one - the forehand smash from Ruud is pulled wide after Nadal put it back short.

Break point - and Nadal hangs in the rally before snapping a backhand to send Ruud wide on his forehand. He clips it into the net.

A third successive break, and one handed back by Ruud with two errors from 40-30.

French Open: Nadal 2-1 Ruud* - Ruud breaks back!

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:29 , Jamie Braidwood

Ruud blinks on a forehand into the net, seemingly just struggling to deal with the spin and bounce that Nadal can produce on the ball in these opening exchanges.

Hang on, though. Nadal then goes long and a double fault offers Ruud a sniff at 15-30.

And there’s another one! Consecutive double faults from Nadal gives Ruud two break points!

Ruud would want the first back, as he sends the forehand long until little pressure.

Nadal is faced with another second serve - he make it this time, but then a forehand into the net gets Ruud the break back!

Completely unexpected, and rather handed to Ruud.

French Open: *Nadal 2-0 Ruud - Nadal breaks!

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Lovely play from Nadal to follow a backhand down the line with a volley at the net, but Ruud steadies with a good serve down the middle which the Spaniard can’t return. Great hitting from Ruud as he targets the corners but Nadal somehow hangs on as he finds the baseline, and Ruud nets. Tricky moments these, even at this early stage. At 15-30, Nadal can step into the court, hammering the forehand into the corner, and then puts away the smash as Ruud reached to return.

Two break points now. Ruud saves the first with a clipped forehand winner that sends Nadal running.

What a shot! Nadal gets the break in style as he whips the forehand pass beyond the outstretched Ruud!

French Open: Nadal 1-0 Ruud*

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:17 , Jamie Braidwood

Nadal goes after Ruud’s backhand from the start and wins the first point as a dodgy bounce deceives the Norwegian. A drop-shot follows from Nadal that dies before Ruud can reach it. Ruud gets his teeth into a Nadal second serve and finds some joy with a forehand down the line, as Nadal drifts long.

But a wide backhand from Ruud sets up game point and Nadal claims a comfortable hold as Ruud then nets.

*denotes next server

French Open: Nadal vs Ruud

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:11 , Jamie Braidwood

The stadium announcer takes about two minutes to read out Nadal’s list of French Open titles.

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008... you get the picture.

Right, warm-ups are over. Let’s GO

French Open: Nadal vs Ruud

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:07 , Jamie Braidwood

There is a British representative at today’s final with James Keothavong the umpire

Nadal wins the toss and elects to serve first. No hesitation.

French Open: Nadal vs Ruud

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:05 , Jamie Braidwood

And here comes the 23-year-old Norwegian, who gets a warm reception from Philippe-Chatrier.

It’s nothing compared to the welcome offered to Nadal, though, who follows his opponent out onto the court.

It’s electric at Roland Garros.

The stage is set.

French Open: Nadal vs Ruud

Sunday 5 June 2022 14:02 , Jamie Braidwood

We’ve hit 2pm BST and we can see shots of Ruud pacing nervously inside the tunnel in Philippe-Chatrier.

What an occasion to make your grand slam final debut in, and a brilliant story too with the student Ruud facing the master Nadal after attending the Spaniard’s academy.

We should see both players emerge shortly.

French Open: Nadal vs Ruud

Sunday 5 June 2022 13:56 , Jamie Braidwood

There are overcast conditions in Paris today for the men’s French Open final but without the same humidity that Nadal has played his two previous matches in. The roof is open at Philippe-Chatrier and there’s a bit of a breeze in the air.

Nadal on the verge of more tennis history

Sunday 5 June 2022 13:47 , Jamie Braidwood

If Nadal wins a 14th French Open title - and he’s never lost a final in Roland Garros before - it would also extend his record for the longest span between men’s grand slam titles.

Nadal won his first French Open title 17 years ago today exactly - June 5, 2005. Nadal already held the record after winning the Australian Open in January.

Serena Williams holds the overal record at 17 years and 5 months between the 1999 US Open and 2017 Australian Open.

Ruud: Nadal has always been my idol

Sunday 5 June 2022 13:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud grew up idolising Rafael Nadal and says their first career meeting in his first grand slam final has arrived at the “perfect” time.

“When I was younger I was too negative but I’ve also grown up a little bit. I’ve been looking up to Rafa, the player I’m going to play in the final,” Ruud said after defeating Marin Cilic.

“He never complains, he’s a perfect example of how I think you should behave on court: Never give up, never complain. He’s been my idol for all of my life.

“It’s an amazing final. He’s the last player of the big three that I haven’t played against. I guess it’s perfect timing and it was worth the wait. To play him in a grand slam final will be a special moment for me, and hopefully for him as well because he has played so many finals! At least he is playing a student of his academy this time so hopefully it’s going to be a fun one.”

Nadal said of his opponent: “I mean, Casper is a professional. He has I think a very good character to play tennis. He’s very relaxed, humble. He’s always in a positive mood about learning.

I think in the academy we were able to help him a little bit during this period of time, but more than another thing is about, as I always say, I like to see the good persons achieving his dreams.”

French Open win would be biggest of Nadal's career, coach says

Sunday 5 June 2022 13:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Victory in the French Open final for Rafael Nadal would be the biggest achievement of his career, topping even his unexpected success at this year’s Australian Open where he won a record 21st grand slam, according to his coach Carlos Moya.

“What I saw in Australia this year it was beyond anything. But what I see here is through his own play. It’s a another size of resilience,” Moya told Reuters.

“I think it would be a bigger achievement winning the French Open today than the Australian Open,” he said. “It’s special if he wins. In my opinion this is the one that he deserves the most credit in his career.”

At the final in January’s Australian Open, Nadal, who turned 36 on Friday, came from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev and bag a second title there.

A couple of months earlier he was even considering retiring after a foot problem that has troubled him throughout his career resurfaced, forcing him to miss much of the 2021 season including Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open.

He had arrived in Australia underprepared and not in the best of health after also suffering a bout of Covid-19. But Moya said it was even tougher in Paris, where Nadal brought a doctor to get through the tournament despite the foot injury.

“The preparation for Australia was nothing, and here even less, but it’s clay,” Moya said. “Alright, so that changes a little bit. Things happened here that maybe put this on top of Australia.

“Of course he could have lost the last two matches. He somehow survived.”

Victory for Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid in the wheelchair doubles

Sunday 5 June 2022 13:32 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s 10 in a row for Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid in the men’s wheelchair doubles!

The British pair defeat Gustavo Fernandez and Shingo Kunieda 7-6 7-6 to continue their remarkable run in the grand slams.

After winning calendar slams in each of the last two seasons, they’re now halfway there to a third consecutive sweep of doubles titles.

Nadal would take new foot over French title

Sunday 5 June 2022 13:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Rafael Nadal offered an illuminating response when asked, on his 36rd birthday, if he would accept a new foot as a present, but on the condition that he would lose the French Open final against Casper Ruud today.

“I would prefer to lose the final without a doubt,” Nadal replied. “My thoughts haven’t changed. In the end a new foot would allow me to be more happy in my day-to-day life. Winning is lovely and it fills you with adrenaline for a short moment but life goes on. Life is much more important than whatever title.”

Nadal’s French Open so far

Sunday 5 June 2022 13:10 , Jamie Braidwood

1st round: 6-2 6-2 6-2 vs Jordan Thompson

2nd round: 6-3 6-1 6-4 vs Corentin Moutet

3rd round: 6-3 6-2 6-4 vs Botic van de Zandschulp

4th round: 3-6 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 vs Felix Auger-Aliassime

Quarter-final: 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(5) vs Novak Djokovic

Semi-final: 7-6(8) 6-6* vs Alexander Zverev - walkover

More Paris heartbreak for Gauff as Mladenovic and Garcia win doubles

Sunday 5 June 2022 13:01 , Jamie Braidwood

French pair Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic recovered from a set down to beat Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula 2-6 6-3 6-2 on Sunday and lift the French Open women’s doubles title for the second time.

For Gauff, it was a second final defeat in less than 24 hours, after the 18-year-old lost in straight sets by top seed Iga Swiatek in Saturday’s singles final.

Reuters

Ruud’s French Open so far

Sunday 5 June 2022 12:55 , Jamie Braidwood

1st round: 6-7 7-6 6-2 7-6 vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

2nd round: 6-3 6-4 6-2 vs Emil Ruusuvuori

3rd round: 6-2 6-7 1-6 6-4 6-3 vs Lorenzo Sonego

4th round: 6-2 6-3 3-6 6-3 vs Herbert Hurkacz

Quarter-final: 6-1 4-6 7-6 6-3 vs Holger Rune

Semi-final: 3-6 6-4 6-2 6-2 vs Marin Cilic

Nadal’s grand slam record

Sunday 5 June 2022 12:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Victory today would see Rafael Nadal move two clear of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time list of grand slam titles, while a 14th French Open title would be enough for a tie of third on its own!

21 - Rafael Nadal (overall)

20 - Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic

14 - Pete Sampras

13 - Rafael Nadal (at the French Open)

12 - Roy Emerson

11 - Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg

Nadal set for 30th grand slam final

Sunday 5 June 2022 12:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Rafael Nadal insists he has nothing to prove as the Spaniard addressed concerns surrounding his foot injury ahead of this afternoon’s French Open final. The 36-year-old says he will continue to play as long as he is healthy.

“It’s about every day. No, I mean, it’s not about things that you need to prove. It’s about how much you enjoy doing what you are doing or if you don’t enjoy, then is another story, no?

“But if you like what you are doing, you keep going. Because, for example, if you like to go and play golf, you keep going to play golf. If I like to play tennis and if I can and I can handle to keep playing, I keep playing because I like what I do. So that’s it.

“Of course I enjoy. And if I am healthy enough to play, I like the competition, honestly, no? And the competition, I like to play in the best stadiums of the world and feel myself at my age still competitive. Means a lot to me, no? That makes me feel in some way proud and happy about all the work that we did.”

Ruud ready to face mentor Nadal in French Open final

Sunday 5 June 2022 12:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Four years ago Casper Ruud was honing his skills as a teenage rookie at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Majorca.Today the 23-year-old Norwegian will face his mentor, the 21-time grand slam champion, in the French Open final.

Ruud has never faced 36-year-old Nadal in a competitive match, but the pair have played plenty of times on the practice court. Eighth seed Ruud admitted: "We have played some practice sets, and he has always pretty much beaten me.

"There's been some close sets, 7-6, 7-5, but it always goes his favour. But it's because we are playing in the academy and I want to be nice to him." Nadal has an unblemished record in Roland Garros finals, having won all 13 that he has reached.

Casper Ruud ready to face mentor Rafa Nadal in French Open final

How to watch the French Open final

Sunday 5 June 2022 12:05 , Jamie Braidwood

You can catch live action from Roland Garros on Eurosport 1 - Sky channel 410, BT 435, Virgin 521. Coverage starts from 1.30pm on Eurosport 1.

You can live stream the action on Discovery+, a subscription is £6.99 per month or £59.99 annually on Sky, Amazon Prime Video channels, Roku and Vodafone. With the app available on the following devices: LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TVs and Amazon Fire TV.

Odds

Nadal 1/6

Ruud 4/1

Recap: Swiatek blows Gauff away to win second French Open title

Sunday 5 June 2022 12:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Yesterday, Iga Swiatek cemented her place at the top of women’s tennis with a commanding victory over Coco Gauff in the final of the French Open.

The No 1 seed swept to a second Roland Garros title thanks to a 6-1 6-3 demolition of 18-year-old Gauff.

With superstar Poland striker Robert Lewandowski among the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier, Swiatek’s sharp-shooting and ruthless finishing was too much for the American and capped an astonishing winning run.

Elevated to world No 1 following Ashleigh Barty’s shock retirement in March, the 21-year-old Pole has proved an unstoppable force ever since.

Her 35-match winning streak takes her level with Venus Williams for the most consecutive victories this century.

Iga Swiatek blows Coco Gauff away to win second French Open title

Good afternoon

Sunday 5 June 2022 12:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the French Open as Rafael Nadal looks to pull off another sensational grand slam triumph against Casper Ruud in the men’s final at Roland Garros. There has perhaps never been more of a gulf in experience between two players in a major final, as Nadal bids for what would be a record-extending 14th French Open and 22nd grand slam title against the 23-year-old Ruud, who has become the first player from Norway to reach a men’s final at a slam.