Rafael Nadal has garnered countless fans over his historic career, and as he advances into his mid-30s, some of those supporters have become his competitors. Casper Ruud is one of them, as the 23-year-old who trained at Rafael Nadal Academy describes the 21-time Grand Slam winner as an “idol for all my life.”
The two will meet in the 2022 French Open men’s final, pitting an idol against a player who learned from his triumphs. Nadal reached the final after his semifinal opponent, Alexander Zverev, suffered a right ankle injury that forced him to retire before the third set. Ruud topped Marin Cilic 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in the other semifinal to reach his first ever Grand Slam final.
A win by Nadal would be his 14th at Roland Garros and his 22nd Grand Slam title, both of which would extend records.
French Open title No. 14 for Rafael Nadal 🏆
That’s the most by any male or female at a single major all-time! pic.twitter.com/I2fEu0jro3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 5, 2022
14-0 in French Open finals 🏆
Rafael Nadal defines DOMINANT once again 😤 pic.twitter.com/MIlWP2tib8
— ESPN (@espn) June 5, 2022