Rafael Nadal at French Open 2022 final: A look at his records this year

German tennis professional Alexander Zverev’s “very serious” injury on Friday helped Spain’s Rafael Nadal swoop right into the French Open final, the 14th one in the latter’s tennis career. 

“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 it’s another story,” Nadal said on Friday, according to Reuters.

“But if you like what you are doing, you keep going. … I keep playing because I like what I do. So that’s it,” he added. 

Now, Nadal could be on his way to becoming the oldest man to win the tournament if he defeats Oslo-born Casper Rudd in the finals on Sunday.

As he eyes the lustrous silver trophy, we take a look at the impressive records he has set in the French Open this year. 

Oldest player to enter the French Open finals

On Friday, the 36-year-old Spaniard became the oldest man to get to the French Open final. Moreover, Sunday’s victory would make Nadal the championship’s oldest winner, succeeding Andres Gimeno, who made the record almost half a century ago at the age of 34. 

Also Read: French Open 2022 winner Iga Swiatek’s message for Ukraine: Stay strong

The only man to play the most number of finals at a single Grand Slam event 

Nadal, a 13-time French Open winner, expanded his record of being the only man to reach the highest number of finals at a single Grand Slam by entering his 14th French Open final on Friday.  

Also Read: Courting victory: Rafael Nadal’s 5 career-defining moments

The third man to reach more than 30 Grand Slam singles finals

After Friday’s victory, Nadal became the third man to play over 30 Grand Slam singles finals. He has now joined the record list with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, although, with the best win and loss ratio of 21:8.