PARIS (Aftenposten): Casper Ruud tried it honestly, but experienced what many have done before: Rafael Nadal did not lose in the French Open final.

Casper Ruud – Rafael Nadal 3–6, 3–6, 0–6

Rafael Nadal buried his face in his hands in pure joy. He toyed with the net and gave a nice hug to the man he had beaten: Casper Ruud of Norway.

The final was Ruud’s first fight with childhood idol Nadal. It was Norway’s first Grand Slam final in the men’s side.

It was a loss for the man who won his 14th win at the gravel in Paris, his 22nd Grand Slam title in total. Nobody has more.

In his speech that followed, Ruud wowed the 15,000 spectators in the Philippe-Chatrier arena.

– The most important thing is to congratulate Rafa. This is your 14th time. We know how great you are. “Today I got to experience what it’s like to play against you in the final,” said Ruud, to laughter from those present.

The Norwegian has been training at the idol tennis academy for several years.

– Your team and family have welcomed me with open arms. Thanks for that. You are a true inspiration to me and to everyone watching tennis around the world.

“RUUUD!” shouted the audience.

This may sound like a buing, but it really is their tribute to Casper Ruud.

Because they lost, but they can still be proud because they have presented achievements for history books. Nadal congratulated him on reaching the final.

– Nice to play the final here with you. You are great, said the master.

Nadal Fever

There was a sea of ​​people outside the arena before the match started. Hope shone in the eyes of the thousands who lined up to enter the finals.

Most people probably thought they had come to see Rafael Nadal clinch his 14th French Open title. He has never lost a final in Paris.

If Ruud won, he would be the third player to beat him here. Novak Djokovic (twice) and Robin Söderling have done it before.

– The toughest challenge in sport, says Ruud about beating Nadal in the French Open final.

However, there is little doubt as to who the majority within Philippe-Chatrier supports. It was close between the Spanish flags. Shouts “Rafa!” started half an hour before the players entered the arena.

Ruud clapped on the pitch. However, there has been little resistance to the reception that big favorites Paris have received. Rafael Nadal was greeted with great fanfare when he took to the court as a finalist at the French Open for the 14th time.

The next few hours would give him his 14th title as well.

Weird start

They sensed each other in the first ball exchange. Silence, until Ruud failed to reply to Nadal’s blow which ended deep in the field.

“VAMO!” shouted the audience.

With that, the tone is set. Nadal took the first game with ease. Then Ruud had to serve. He needs a good start. Winning your own server game is critical to success. Especially if Rafael Nadal becomes his opponent.

Ruud tried to control the points with a good forehand, but Nadal showed his relentless ability to always send the ball back. He broke Ruud’s serve on the first try. Bad start for the Norwegian.

Then something special happened. Nadal immediately made two direct double faults on his own serve. It gave Ruud a chance to retaliate, something he managed.

They were only so far after the match’s special opening. And it became even more special, because Ruud also failed to maintain his own serve in the next game. Three of the first four games of the match ended in service breaks.

Now, however, Nadal got up and ran. The old master takes command. Ruud tried to strike back. Among the audience there are also shouting his name. They gave their backing to the Norwegian underdogs who were getting better and better in Paris, but Nadal served the home set.

Pushed by the fans, but fighting hard

Ruud had a difficult start, but neither player was performing at his best. They make a large number of unstressed mistakes, i.e. shots that end at the net or off the pitch, when you have plenty of time and aren’t under pressure.

If Ruud gets up, chances are there. He will start to be broken again, but save himself. He seems to be growing more into the fight. The hard pre-winners seemed to end up on the right side of the chalk mark more often than in the first set. Nadal got a tougher fight.

Then Ruud played to 40-0 in Nadal’s serve game. Then the Spaniard made another double fault. The Norwegian led the set, but not for long.

Because Nadal immediately counterattacked. When Ruud hit one of the important balls a little too far, he turned around in despair. Nadal clenched his fists and roared with joy. The Spaniards in the stands did the same.

Still: Ruud a little off. Some of the points he won were beautiful.

Unfortunately for the 23-year-old from Snarøya, he was broken once again. A set that looks promising will be missed. Mistakes creep back into his game. When Nadal pushed it into another serve game, it was Ruud’s turn to miss his serve twice.

The set has ended. Ruud made 21 unforced errors, 7 times more than Nadal.

Greeted, but lost

Ruud needed a miracle. It was hard to get him when he was broken early also in the third set.

But he didn’t give up. He tried to strike back. When the duel in front of the net, he looked defeated. Then he fished the ball past Nadal when he just hit the ball with a backhand.

The crowd cheered loudly for the impressive point. The applause illustrates what Casper Ruud has accomplished in recent weeks. Rafael Nadal was and will be the pet of the French Open, but Ruud still garnered plenty of honors as he made it on the red pebbles. Not many people get that much support when they meet Nadal here.

The set was still a formality, despite Ruud’s efforts. As I said, single moments are good, but the faults are too many. Nadal is stable and experienced. Unstoppable, as he tends in these cases.

The trophy is his.

At the same time, Casper Ruud is one of the richer important experiences.