French Open final between Rafael Nadal & Casper Ruud will mark only 2nd instance of Big-3 member facing opponent for 1st time in a Major final
Defying all the odds, 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal reached the 2022 French Open final, where he will take on Casper Ruud.
The Spaniard entered the tournament with questions about his fitness and form. Despite the uncertainty, he advanced to a historic 14th Roland Garros final after his semifinal opponent Alexander Zverev retired from their encounter due to an ankle injury.
Ruud, meanwhile, became the first man from Norway to reach a Grand Slam final after defeating Marin Cilic in four sets.
Ruud and Nadal have never faced off before, meaning this will be only the second time that a Big-3 player is facing an opponent for the first time in a Grand Slam final. Prior to this, Novak Djokovic's first-ever meeting with Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga came at the 2008 Australian Open. The Serb defeated Tsonga 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(2).
Most Grand Slam finals -- men's singles:
Federer and Djokovic, 31
Nadal, 30
The 13-time Roland Garros champion became just the third man in the Open Era to reach at least 30 Major finals, just behind the other two Big 3 members Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic with 31 final appearances each
Sunday represents the 92nd grand slam final the Big 3 have competed in.
In only one previous final did a member of the Big 3 face their opponent for the first time.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Novak Djokovic 2008 Australian Open.
Casper Ruud vs. Rafael Nadal is the second time.
Rafael Nadal one step away from historic 22nd Major title
Earlier this year, Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open to become the first-ever male player to reach 21 Grand Slam titles. After Djokovic's 2021 Wimbledon victory, the Big 3 were tied at 20 Majors and the deadlock remained until Nadal's triumph in Melbourne seven months later.
The Serb had his chance to become the first male player to win 21 Majors at the 2021 US Open but lost to Russia's Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the final. Djokovic was then unable to defend his Australian Open title earlier this year due to problems with his visa and vaccination status.
Nadal, meanwhile, can extend his lead over Roger Federer and Djokovic in the Slam race by winning the French Open.
The Spaniard is in excellent form and will fancy his chances of winning a 22nd Grand Slam title on Sunday. However, a determined and strong Casper Ruud is hoping to become just the third player after Robin Soderling and Djokovic to beat the Spaniard at the French Open.