Novak wasn't at top of his game at RG in 2022 as he had missed so many tournaments and was still not in right mental zone after Australian open fracas at start of year. He was definitely well short of proper competitive match practice.
However, still a legitimate win for Rafa as was Novak's win at Paris this year. As Hitman says if you step on the court to play then and give it your all on the day, it counts.
Having said that no doubt Rafa was a monumental player and his place as one of all time greats forever has been cemented in stone or clay lol