"If Rafa has to lose, better with Casper; if Casper has to lose, better with Rafa" - Toni Nadal on 2022 French Open final between Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud
Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud will lock horns in the 2022 French Open final on Sunday. While Nadal will be fighting for his 14th title in Paris and a 22nd career Grand Slam title, Ruud will be playing his first ever Major final.
Although Nadal will be the clear favourite heading into the final, Ruud might have a trick or two up his sleeve. The Norwegian has been training at Nadal's academy since 2018 and Toni Nadal, the Spaniard's uncle and the academy's director, has helped Ruud sharpen his skills.
Speaking to a local newsline, Toni said he is pleased to see the two in Sunday's summit clash.
"I know it will be a difficult match for both of them, but if Rafael has to lose, better with Casper. And if Casper has to lose, better with Rafael because he already said he was his idol," Toni said. "It's double happiness that Rafael plays a new Roland Garros final and that his rival is Casper Ruud, another player who has trained here."
¡Tendremos final de #RolandGarros entre @RafaelNadal y @CasperRuud98!
Toni Nadal, Director de la #RafaNadalAcademy by Movistar, valora este momento tan especial ☺️ https://t.co/Tn8uVMpQF2
Rafael Nadal has never lost a final at Roland Garros. The World No. 8 will need to be on top of his game to have a chance at conquering the King of Clay.
Sunday's clash will be the first competitive meeting between the pair, although they have played each other at the academy many times.
"Casper is a great boy with good attitude and behaviour" - Toni Nadal praises Ruud after watching him train closely at the Rafael Nadal Academy
Since joining Rafael Nadal's academy as a promising teenager to getting a chance to play in the final of the French Open against his idol, Casper Ruud has come a long way. The Norwegian has had his eyes on playing big tournaments and moving up the ATP rankings since his early days as a young professional.
Toni acknowledged the hard work Ruud has put in and praised the youngster in a recent interview conducted at the Rafa Nadal Academy.
"Casper is a great boy with good attitude and behaviour," Toni said.
In 2018, Ruud made the main draw of a Grand Slam for the the first time at the Australian Open after going through three rounds of qualifying. This made him the first Norwegian to qualify for a Grand Slam main draw in 17 years. He was also the first Norwegian to be ranked World No. 1 in the junior rankings six years ago.