Nadal wins 14th French Open and 22nd Grand Slam title - as it happened

Ryan PierseCopyright: Ryan Pierse

Rafael Nadal reclaimed his crown as the king of the French Open, winning a record-extending 14th title by beating Norway's Casper Ruud in straight sets.

Spain's Nadal, 36, won 6-3 6-3 6-0 against Norwegian eighth seed Ruud to also extend his record number of Grand Slam men's singles titles to 22.

He moves two ahead of his great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Nadal, who lost to Djokovic in the semi-finals last year, has won 112 of his 115 matches on the Paris clay.

After also winning the Australian Open in January, Nadal has claimed back-to-back major titles for the first time since 2010 - when he won the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in a row.

Two days after his 36th birthday, Nadal becomes the oldest French Open men's singles champion and surpasses fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno, who won aged 34 in 1972.

The left-hander dropped his racquet to the court in amazement after taking his second match point to win in two hours and 18 minutes.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Emma Raducanu starts her preparations for Wimbledon on the grass courts of the Nottingham Open and you can watch it live on the BBC from Monday.

Raducanu, the US Open champion, made her WTA Tour debut in Nottingham last year before rising to prominence at Wimbledon. At just 18, she was the youngest British women's player to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon in the Open era.

The now 19-year-old world number 12 has taken a wildcard for this year's WTA 250 event following her second-round defeat at the French Open. The top seed is world number three Maria Sakkari of Greece.

British players Dan Evans, Liam Broady and Jay Clarke will compete in the men's Challenger Tour event.

Matches will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app between 11:00 and 20:00 BST daily.

It's the start of a great few weeks of tennis events on the BBC with coverage to come of these events as well.

• 13-19 June: Birmingham Classic & Queen's Club Championships
• 20-24 June: Wimbledon qualifying
• 20-25 June: Eastbourne
• 27 June to 10 July: Wimbledon

French Open champion Rafael Nadal, speaking on Eurosport: "As everyone knows in the world of tennis, my preparation was not ideal. Outside of the practice courts I was off the Tour for one month and a half with a stress fracture in the rib and then I have the foot that is something that stays there all the time.

"I had my doctor here with me. I don't how to say in English the thing that we did but we played with no feeling on the foot, with an injection on the nerve, so the foot was asleep. That's why I was able to play."

I was waiting for the last sentence to see if he would announce his retirement, mic-drop and walk off - but no he said he would keep fighting and keep going?

I think he's going to chase down Serena - and he will be letting us know when he gets it.

Andrew Priestley: When Pete Sampras retired with 14 Grand Slam titles to his name many couldn’t comprehend how that tally could ever be beaten. Rafa Nadal now has 14 French Open titles alone and 22 in total.

I think he's enjoying the moment even more than ever - the older you get the more you appreciate what you have accomplished.

If you had told me in Rome he would have won this title - I wouldn't have believed you.

I think he is going to take a week off, and then see how he feels.

If you looked at him, and didn't know he had a foot problem - he is playing the tennis of his life.

More from Rafa Nadal: "I want to continue saying thank you to everybody who make possible this event.

"For me and I think for a lot of people who love the history of this sport it is the best tournament of the world so thank you everybody who make possible this great event. You make me feel like home.

"For me personally, it is very difficult to describe the feelings that I have. It's something that I never believed; I would be here at 36, being competitive again, playing in the most important court of my career one more time in a final.

"It means everytrhing to me. It means a lot of energy to try to keep going. I just want to say merci, merci beaucoup."

Speaking in French, Nadal thanks the crowd for their phenomenal support.

"A tout le monde ici en Paris, merci beaucoup.

"I don't know what can happen in the future but I am going to keep fighting to try to keep going, so thank you!"

We feared Rafael Nadal may just announce his retirement. Brilliantly, he says not....

Matthew Hulbert: A true gent, Casper Ruud. Very gallant in defeat.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

French Open champion Rafael Nadal, speaking on court: "Merci, merci beaucoup. First of all, Casper, it's a real pleasure to play with you a final here in Roland Garros. You are great. I want to congatulate you for an amazing career you are having.

"Especially these two weeks, I think it is a very important step forward. I am very very happy for you and your family and your team. I wish you all the very best for the future.

"I have to follow with my team, my family, everybody. It is completely amazing, the things that are happening this year.

"I can thank you very very much for all the things you are doing with me and did over all of the years. Without you none of this would be possible."

After the Spanish national anthem comes Rafael Nadal's turn to speak...

Now, as we've seen on 13 previous occasions, Rafael Nadal lifts the French Open trophy high above his head.

The king of clay is back on his throne.

More from Casper Ruud: "To my own team, everyone involved, it has been a long road already. Even though I am young I have a big team around me. It is a road that is impossible without the help of everyone.

"To the city of Paris, the people who came, it has been unbelievable and quite an experience for me to play in front of over 10,000 people in the final. It has been two difficult years for everyone around the world with Covid so to see it full is inspiring again.

"You have been very nice to me all two weeks, so thank you. It gives me motivation to come back and hopefully next year I can learn some French, if it's possible, it's not easy but I will try.

"Lastly, to [tournament director] Amelie [Mauresmo] and all your team, I know this is a busy week. You are doing a great job. Thank you so much for the three weeks. I can't wait to come back here again. Thank you and merci."

Sahil Oberoi: Nadal now has as many French Open wins as Sampras has career Grand Slam wins. Unreal!

French Open runner-up Casper Ruud, speaking on court: "This is a first time for me so let's see how I do. The first and most important thing is to congratulate Rafa. It's your 14th time, 22nd all around in Grand Slams. We all know what a champion you are.

"Today I got to feel how it is to play against you in a final. It's not easy and I'm not the first victim. I know there have been many before!

"To you Rafa, your team, your family, you have taken me into your Academy with open arms, also my family. You are a true inspiration for me. We all hope you will continue for some more time."

Pretty chastening experience for Casper Ruud in the end - let's hope there is not that much scar tissue next time he plays at a Grand Slam final.