Record holder Nadal is oldest Roland Garros winner ever with victory over Ruud | NOW

Rafael Nadal is already the record holder of Roland Garros with thirteen titles, but the Spaniard can also crown himself as the oldest winner of the clay tournament with a win over Casper Ruud on Sunday. The Norwegian, on the other hand, is looking for his first Grand Slam title.

Nadal celebrated his 36th birthday on the day of the semifinals and could become the oldest winner of the tournament in the open era. Currently, that record is held by Andrés Gimeno, who triumphed in 1972 at the age of 34.

Based on the past, it is quite conceivable that Nadal will take over the record from the now deceased Gimeno. Nadal has won all of his previous thirteen finals in Paris, holding the record for most overall wins at one Grand Slam.

In addition, with a win, Nadal grabs his 22nd Grand Slam title and extends his lead over rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Both currently have one title less than Nadal, who is already the record holder with 21 titles to his name.

Ruud meets idol Nadal for the first time on ATP Tour

Where finals – especially at Roland Garros – are not unfamiliar territory for Nadal, it is different for 23-year-old Ruud. The global number eight, who trained in Nadal’s academy and sees the Spaniard as his idol, is the first Norwegian in a Grand Slam final in the men.

The two will play against each other for the first time on the ATP Tour. The last time two men in a Grand Slam final only had their first meeting at the top level was in 2008. At the time, Djokovic dealt with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final of the Australian Open.

Ruud is the seventh player to face Nadal in his first Grand Slam final. Of the six previous times, only Stan Wawrinka (Australian Open 2014) managed to beat Nadal.

The final between Nadal and Ruud starts on Sunday around 3 p.m. at the Court Philippe-Chatrier. In the women’s race, the win went to Iga Swiatek on Saturday, who convincingly dealt with Coco Gauff in the final.