RAFAEL NADAL reclaimed his crown as the king of clay with a dominant victory over Casper Ruud at the French Open today, roared to a 14th title courtesy of a 6-3 6-3 6-0 win over the first-time finalist.

Nadal is two days past his 36th birthday and suffering with a chronic foot problem that has prompted rumours of retirement.

But he brushed aside the Norwegian eighth seed  to claim a 22nd grand slam victory to take him two ahead of great rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer at the top of the all-time male rankings.