Rafael Nadal celebrated his record-extending 14th French Open title with a two-hander that whistled through the air and kicked the chalk. The champion then tossed his racket, tearing up as he covered his face before embracing his opponent - Casper Ruud. AS IT HAPPENEDThe ochre-hued stage was set earlier in the day, Court Philippe-Chatrier was at capacity and the troubling weather predictions had been binned. The sun made periodic appearances early in the match, perhaps to greet the 13-time champion, before coming out in all its glory in the second half of the final. That worked like a roller on the crushed red-brick carpet and Nadal was skipping around the shale and stinging like a bee. So much so that Ruud only won eight points in the third set.
Nadal's 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 victory, which gave him his 22nd Grand Slam crown, saw his backhand dominate as much as his forehand, piling up a total of 37 winners. The 36-year-old, who has won the Australian and French Open titles in the same year for the first time in his decorated career, passed fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno as the oldest Roland Garros men's singles champion in history.
"It is very difficult to describe the feelings that I have. It is something that I have never believed," Nadal said as he hugged the Coupe des Mousquetaires. "To be here at 36, being competitive again in the most important court of my career. One more title means a lot."
"I don't know what can happen in the future," said Nadal, as an arena, reeling under the weight of retirement rumours, held its breath, "but I'm going to keep fighting, keep going."
The Spaniard, in a colour scheme that was the only thing out of line on the day, pastel pea on teal, turned to his box to give thanks. "My team, my
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