Rafael Nadal defies time and Casper Ruud to win his 14th French Open title

In recent years as he has edged ever closer towards the twilight of his career, Rafael Nadal has continually discussed his advancing age with total disdain. While many see its silver linings in its maturity, he sees none.

It has gradually taken away one of the greatest assets, his athleticism. It has made his body, which has had far too many injuries, even more prone to them. Regardless, for 20 years he has approached his career with the same positive attitude, the same calmness, the same acceptance and fight, and in the process has continued to perform wonders so long into it.

After a fortnight in which he has been able to summon his best tennis only when he desperately needed it, Nadal picked apart Casper Ruud even in the absence of his top level for much of the match, winning the final 11 games to clinch a remarkable, record-extending 14th French Open title: 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.

The outcome of his efforts have only reinforced what has been clear for well over a decade: Nadal at Roland Garros is the closest thing in tennis to untouchable. In a sport filled with such a deep field of other disciplined and professional rivals, the level of dominance he has unlocked, the gap between himself and the rest even after so long, remains astonishing.

In the final, the difference in quality between the two players was too great for Ruud, who was unable to consistently hurt Nadal with any part of his game. Under minimal pressure, Nadal established his predictable pattern.

Throughout the match, he laid waste to the Ruud backhand with his heavy topspin forehand. Ruud became locked deeper and deeper in his backhand corner, and most of the time he was unable to escape.

In all of uncertainty, it is worth savouring a sight that has limited time remaining regardless of how his next essential weeks pan out: Nadal navigating a route to success again.