Nadal won a one-sided final in three sets 6: 3, 6: 3 and 6: 0.
The 36-year-old benefited from Alexander Zverev’s injury in the semifinals. Ruud prevailed against Croatian Marin Cilic in four sets.
Nadal has now won 22 times in Melbourne, Paris, Wimbledon or New York, making him the Grand Slam record holder. For the 23-year-old Norwegian it was the first final in a Grand Slam tournament.