Rafael Nadal wins 14th French Open title, 22nd Grand Slam, becomes oldest champ in tourney history

Rafael Nadal defeated Casper Ruud in straight sets Sunday to win his 14th French Open championship and 22nd Grand Slam title.

Nadal overwhelmed Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0, his victory coming two days after his 36th birthday and making him the oldest title winner in the history of the clay-court tournament. The oldest champion in tournament history had been Andres Gimeno, who was 34 when he won in 1972.

Ruud led 3-1 in the second set, a deficit that spurred Nadal to raise his level — he took the last 11 games. Nadal's six games lost Sunday are tied for his second fewest in a major final. He has won six major finals in which he has conceded fewer than 10 games, breaking a tie with Richard Sears for the most by any man in tennis history.

Rafael Nadal lost just six games during his victory over Casper Ruud on Sunday, the second fewest in his career in a major final. He has won six major finals where he has conceded fewer than 10 games, the most by any man in tennis history.

Given his age, and of more concern, the chronic pain in his left foot that has been an off-and-on problem for years, Nadal has said repeatedly in recent days that he can never be sure whether each match at Court Philippe Chatrier might be his last.

Nadal told Eurosport that he received an injection to numb his foot for Sunday's final.

«The preparation was not ideal,» he said. «I had a stress fracture of the rib, then I have the foot which stays there all the time. I had my doctor here with me — I don't know how to say in English what we did, we played with no feeling on the foot, we played with an injection in the nerve so the foot was asleep — that's why I was able to play.»

During the trophy ceremony, Nadal thanked his family and support team for helping him,