It was 17 years to the day since Rafeal Nasal won his first French Open Championship as a long-haired teen in Capri pants.
It was more than enough, as Nadal steamrolled Casper Rudd 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 to win his 14th French Open championship and extend his men’s record haul of Grand Slam titles, now 22 compared with the 20 shared by Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
With it, Nadal added the distinction of becoming the oldest man in history to win the French Open while embellishing another incomprehensible mark by improving his career record at Roland Garros to 112-3.
Nadal covered his face in disbelief upon sending a backhand winner down the line to clinch the victory. After embracing Ruud at the net and shaking the umpire’s hand, Nadal returned to the court and raised both hands in triumph.
It is unclear what is next for Nadal, who turned 36 Friday.
He has competed for years despite a condition that causes chronic pain in his left foot. At this French Open, he was accompanied by his doctor, whose treatments have made it possible to compete.