Rafael Nadal still reigns as 'King of Clay' with 14th career French Open win
The "King of Clay" is back on his throne as Rafael Nadal won his record-extending 14th career French Open with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 dominating win over Casper Ruud in the tournament final Sunday.
Nadal, 36, also extended his record of Grand Slam titles with his 22nd, two more than any other men's singles player. After the win Sunday, Nadal's career record in matches at Roland-Garros is a staggering 112-3.
No other male player has won more than 10 titles at a single Grand Slam event. Margaret Court won 11 at the Australian Open. Nadal's 22nd career Grand Slam ties him with Steffi Graf for third most among all singles players, including men and women, and puts him just one behind Serena Williams for second and two behind Court for the most all-time.
Nadal breezed through the first three rounds of the tournament without losing a set, but had to battle through a grueling, five-set marathon match against Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach the quarterfinals. There he dethroned defending champion and No. 1 ranked Novak Djokovic in four sets. In a semifinal match against No. 3 ranked Alexander Zverev, Nadal had a tight 7-6, 6-6 lead when Zverev suffered a foot injury that forced him to retire from the match.
Earlier this year, Nadal won the Australian Open for just the second time in his career. This is the first time he's started a season with wins at both the Australian and French Opens. In 2010, Nadal won the French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open. No man has accomplished a Calendar Slam since Rod Laver pulled off the feat in 1969.
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