French Open: Rafael Nadal bids for 14th Roland Garros title against Casper Ruud

In a meeting between master and student, Nadal will attempt to win a record 14th French Open title.

The Spaniard, who turned 36 on Friday, won his 100th match on the Paris clay to reach his 14th final at the French Open.

He has trained at the academy of 21-time Grand Slam champion Nadal.

It's going to be fun because he's playing a student. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time.

"Nadal is the last of the very top players in the world I have never played against," said the first-time finalist.

I think this is a good time and worth waiting for. It will be a special moment when I play him in the grand slam final.

Alexander Zverev was forced to retire from the semi-finals because of an injury.

He was the second oldest men's singles finalist in French Open history, behind American Bill Tilden, who was 37 when he was runner-up.

Although they are yet to meet on the tour, the Spaniard said he has a lot of respect for the first time major finalist.

Nadal said thatCasper is a professional. He has a good personality. He's very easy to get along with. He is always happy about learning.

I like to see good people achieve their dreams and I think we were able to help him a little during this time.

I'm happy for his parents, I know them very well. It's not a big deal for me. He did a lot of good things.

If Nadal wins on Sunday, he will take a second title in a row and leave the other two in the shade.

He thought his career was over last year when he only played one tournament in the last seven months of the year.

He won the Australian Open in January to complete an incredible comeback and now stands on the verge of back-to-back major triumphs for the first time since 2010.

I'm okay physically. "My problem isn't the physical performance, it's the foot condition that I suffer from."

I wasn't very positive after the Italian Open, but I was positive that I would be able to play here.

I'm here." I did everything I could to get to where I am. I'm happy that I'll be able to play in the final.

That's a big deal to me. When you enjoy moments like I'm enjoying in this tournament, it makes sense to sacrifice a lot.

Since the start of the year, Ruud has led the tour in wins, titles and finals on clay.

He had never been past the fourth round of a Grand Slam, but overcame Marin Cilic to set up the biggest match of his career, where he will face an inspiration.

He would become the youngest Grand Slam men's champion since Juan Martin del Potro when he won the US Open at the age of 19.

At least he is playing a student from his academy, since he has played so many finals.

I'm pretty sure I could tell you who he has beaten and who he has lost to. It will be great to be there myself.

At the 2005 French Open, Nadal became the first player to win his first Grand Slam quarter-finals, semi-finals and final at the same event.

The greatest challenge in this sport is to play Nadal in a final.

I will give it a try, even though it might seem impossible.

We all know what a great champion he is, and how well he plays in the big matches.

I will have to play my best tennis. I have to think I can do it.