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

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.

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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.”

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”.

The final stroke that completed the masterpiece.

“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.

“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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.