During the 2022 French Open final, Nadal defeated Ruud with a dominant performance, securing his 14th title at Roland Garros, a record-extending achievement. Despite struggling with injury issues, Nadal overcame opponents like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev en route to victory. Nadal’s chronic foot condition, known as Mueller-Weiss syndrome, had been particularly troublesome during the tournament.

In a conversation with Dominic Thiem and Alex de Minaur on the UTS Talk Show, Ruud discussed Nadal’s remarkable victory, emphasizing the Spaniard’s resilience despite his physical challenges. Ruud mentioned Nadal’s use of local anaesthesia and his difficulty walking after matches, highlighting the extent of Nadal’s determination to compete.

Ruud also acknowledged Nadal’s unmatched dominance at the French Open, noting his unbeatable record in the final and minimal losses throughout his career at Roland Garros. Ruud expressed doubt that Nadal’s record of 14 French Open titles and his overall success at the tournament would be surpassed in the foreseeable future, describing it as “unbelievable” and “safe for the next century.”