Rafael Nadal pits his might against Norwegian Casper Ruud in the 2022 French Open final. 36-year-old Nadal is showing no signs of ageing, coming through some gruelling encounters, not least the two sets against semi-final opponent Alexander Zverev. Although cut short after the German rolled his ankle, he was still on the court for over three hours!

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Young Casper, a former trainee at Nadal’s academy, has shown his flair for clay. With seven ATP titles on the surface, the Norwegian is likely to test Nadal’s mastery with some clay-court nous of his own. Ruud, in his first Grand Slam final appearance, will have to keep his nerves in check to stand a shot at the Coupe des Mousquetaires.

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Here are some key facts before tonight’s final:

1. Nadal, contesting his 30th Grand Slam final, has designs on becoming the oldest men’s French Open champion. Presently, held by fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno, a win for Nadal would also make him the fourth oldest male singles Grand Slam winner in the Open Era. Victory at Centre Court will also extend Nadal’s Grand Slam haul to 22. 

2. The Norwegian can emulate his idol Nadal by becoming the first player since the Spanish maestro to contest a first Major quarter-final, semi-final and final and win the trophy in the same slam. Rafa achieved this feat in 2005, in his debut French Open.

3. This is the pair’s first meeting; not since Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga’s Australian Open final have two opponents met for the first time in a Grand Slam final.

4. Nadal is unquestionably the greatest clay-court exponent of all time. With 62 titles on clay, he has an overall record of 473-45 on the surface. In the French Open, his record stands at an imposing 136-3, including an 81 match winning streak from 2005-07.

5. Ruud, for his part, has a solid clay-court record of his own. Over the last two years, his 66 wins are the most on clay. He also has the most final appearance (9) and trophies (7) on the surface between 2020-22.