A pair of crucial tie-break sets bookended a dramatic quarter-final tie on Wednesday at the Davis Cup Final 8, where Germany moved past Canada 2-0 in Malaga.
Jan-Lennard Struff overcame Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) to earn the winning point for Germany, which reached its first Davis Cup semi-final since 2021. The No. 43 in the PIF ATP Rankings Struff prevailed in a two-hour, seven-minute battle despite Canada’s Shapovalov firing 27 aces.
Earlier, Daniel Altmaier edged Gabriel Diallo in a 75-minute opening set en route to a 7-6(5), 6-4 triumph.
“Denis was playing amazing, coming out firing,” said Struff, who had served for the match at 5-4 in the third set. “It was a very tough match. He was serving so well. It was incredible. Second serves at like 180 km/h. It was tough to return. The court is very fast.
“I had my chance [in the third set]. I broke him and served for the match. I didn’t play the best game, but he was there and hit some winners. Even in the tie-break, I went up 4/3 and he then he hit a forehand winner. An incredible match… I’m just happy to get over the line at the end.”
STRUFF GETS IT DONE! 🇩🇪@Struffitennis seals the tie for Team Germany after a remarkable comeback against Shapovalov! 😱@DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/0DSurVrDgg
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 20, 2024
Germany faces a big European derby in its semi-final on Friday, when it will take on the Netherlands.
“It will be amazing,” said Struff of the Netherlands tie. “It’s a big step for us to go from the quarters to the semis. For sure we want to win and go to the final now. Netherlands played an amazing match yesterday beating Spain here in front of a home crowd. So we expect a very tough opponent. Germany and the Netherlands is a little bit of a rivalry. We will try everything. They have amazing fans as well, so looking forward to the match on Friday.”
Captain Michael Kohlmann was delighted as his team moved one step further forward in its bid for its fourth Davis Cup crown, and its first since 1993.
“I think if Daniel had lost that first set of the day, the tie was a completely different one,” reflected Kohlmann on Altmaier’s opening win. “Daniel was up a break, lost his serve again straightaway and had so many chances in the set, but couldn’t convert. I think to win it in the end was key for that match.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
Being a great athlete goes far beyond the results achieved in competition.
Rafael Nadal understood this from the beginning. He involved himself in numerous social projects and created the Rafa Nadal Foundation in 2010, a platform that has enabled him to use sport as a source of aid, helping children and young people towards a quality future.
“I’ve always believed that for personal and professional development, opportunities are essential,” explained Nadal in a report from the foundation published on its 10th anniversary. “In 2010, we understood that I was in a position in which I could help create them, and that was when we decided to launch this life project. I honestly never imagined that we would be able to create the organisation that the Rafa Nadal Foundation is today."
[ATP AWARDS]Throughout all these years, the Rafa Nadal Foundation has provided for countless children, establishing a wide range of programmes such as the NETS project (Nadal Educational Tennis School) in India, the ‘More Than Tennis’ meetings (where athletes with intellectual disabilities get together from schools all across Spain), the Olazabal and Nadal golf tournaments, the opening of foundation centres in Palma, Valencia and Madrid, charity races, and countless other initiatives.
Today, the foundation has several active projects such as ‘Play All’, which directly benefits socially vulnerable children and teenagers and seeks to provide access to tennis for those for whom it is difficult to participate in the sport.
‘Study&Play’ is another of the current projects. It endeavours to offer young people who play a sport regularly and with dedication the opportunity to combine practice and competition with their education, by accessing scholarships granted by US universities.
Photo Credit: Rafa Nadal Foundation
As well as the work carried out through his foundation, Nadal has never hesitated to roll up his sleeves and collaborate in various causes over the years.
For example, the Spaniard participated in the ‘Match for Africa’, an exhibition he played with Roger Federer on 21 December, 2010. First, the Spaniard and Swiss faced each other in the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, in an event to raise money for the Roger Federer Foundation, which supports education, transport and food for children in Africa.
The following day, Nadal and Federer played again in the Caja Mágica in Madrid. This time the money raised went to the Rafa Nadal Foundation.
In 2020, Nadal and Federer participated in the sixth edition of ‘Match for Africa’. It took place on 7 February in Cape Town, South Africa, the country of birth of Federer’s mother and the focal point of his charity foundation. Before facing each other in singles, Nadal and Federer joined Trevor Noah (presenter of ‘The Daily Show’) and Bill Gates in a doubles match. The event drew a crowd of 51,954, raising 3.5 million dollars for children’s education in Africa.
Photo Credit: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images
In 2018, during the floods in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, which caused 13 deaths and damaged almost 300 buildings in Mallorca, Nadal immediately got to work, grabbing a broom and helping evacuate the water alongside the other residents, helping the local population. He also donated one million euros to the victims.
Nadal was also actively involved during the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spanish tennis player joined forces with basketball player Pau Gasol and the Red Cross to raise 11 million euros for people affected by the pandemic, buying medical materials, building infrastructure and contributing to the most vulnerable families.
Simply put, the legacy the Spaniard leaves in his wake as he retires from the game transcends that of his titles and sporting success.
Editor's note: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
Nadal’s first ATP Tour win against Ramon Delgado on the clay of his native Mallorca at the age of 15 was the first step in a legendary career that stretched across more than twenty years. The Spaniard has left in his wake an inordinate number of records that future generations will find hugely difficult to break.
ATPTour.com takes a look at the most significant stats of the Manacor native’s 22-season career.
[ATP AWARDS]14 titles at one Grand Slam
Nadal's Roland Garros record is probably the most spectacular of his career. After winning his first ‘Musketeer’s Trophy’ on his first appearance at the season's second major in 2005, he went on to claim a total of 14 titles (2005-08, 2010-14, 2017-2020, 2022) on the Paris clay. The mark puts him four ahead of his nearest challenger in terms of titles at one Grand Slam: Novak Djokovic with 10 Australian Opens.
Dear Rafa,
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) November 19, 2024
It has been a privilege to watch you evolve on our clay, where you will leave a perpetual mark on such a challenging surface.
We're proud to count you as our greatest champion, as much for your 14 titles as for the man you are. Your legacy will live on forever, on… pic.twitter.com/xJ9P96gRaM
10 titles or more at four different tournaments
It was not only at Roland Garros where Nadal built an empire. He also stamped his dominance on other stages, where it became habitual to see him claim the trophy year after year. At the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell he won 12 times, leading the tournament to name its centre court after him. At the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, an ATP Masters 1000 event, he won 11 titles, while the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome provided him with 10 crowns. The four tournaments make up for 47 of his total of 92 titles (51%).
Youngest player to win the ‘Golden Slam’
Only a few chosen ones in the history of tennis can boast to having won all four majors (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open), as well as an Olympic gold medal. Nadal topped the Olympic podium in Beijing in 2008, and later joined Andre Agassi as the only players in the men’s game – to complete the career 'Golden Slam' by winning the 2010 US Open, at the age of 24 years, 3 months, and 10 days. Novak Djokovic joined the exclusive club in 2024 when he won the Olympics singles gold medal in Paris.
Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Most titles on clay
When Nadal’s career began, the record for titles on clay was 49. It belonged to a specialist on the surface in Argentina’s Guillermo Vilas. The Manacor native not only broke that record, he did so by a considerable margin, reaching 63. There were 18 years before his first clay crown, in Sopot in 2004, and his last, at Roland Garros in 2022.
10 straight years winning Grand Slams
The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings Nadal not only has 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, he also racked them up season after season, allowing him to stay near the very top for so long. Nadal is the only player who managed to win at least one major for 10 consecutive years. Between 2005 and 2014 he won the 2009 Australian Open; the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Roland Garros crown; Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010; and the US Open in 2010 and 2013.
Grand Slam titles on every surface in one year
His ability to compete at the top level on every surface became clear in 2010, when he won a Grand Slam on clay (Roland Garros), grass (Wimbledon) and hard courts (US Open) in the same year. He was the first to do so since Rod Laver in 1969. Years later, in 2021, Novak Djokovic also achieved the feat at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Most wins against a No. 1
Nadal was able to compete toe-to-toe with the best versions of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, respectively, regularly squaring off against them when they were occupying the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings. In fact, the Spaniard holds the record for the most wins against the best player in the world (23), beating Federer 13 times when he was at the top of the rankings and Djokovic 10 times. His first came against Federer at the Miami ATP Masters 1000 in 2004.
Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Completing the Grand Slam twice
Winning all four majors is a privilege that only eight men have experienced in the history of the game. Nadal, though, has had the pleasure twice over (he has won every Grand Slam at least two times). Rod Laver was the first to achieve the feat, while Djokovic would later repeat it.
Most straight wins on one surface
One of the hottest streaks Nadal ever produced began in the first round at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on 11 April, 2005 against Gael Monfils. It ended in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 in Hamburg on 14 May 2007 against Roger Federer. In that period, the Spaniard won every single match he played on clay, giving him the record for the most consecutive wins on one surface (81).
‘Clay Slam’
In 2010, Nadal became the only player to win all of the clay tournaments at Grand Slam and Masters 1000 level in one season. He strung together titles at the Masters 1000 events in Monte-Carlo (his sixth title in the Principality), Rome (the fifth) and Madrid (the second). He also put the icing on the cake at the clay Grand Slam event in Paris, with his fifth Roland Garros crown.
Practically invincible on clay over five sets
In total, throughout his career, the Balearic Islander played 535 matches on clay, with a record 484 wins and 51 defeats. That equates to a 90.5 per cent win record on the surface. However, when he competed in best-of-five-set matches, his success rate was close to perfection. He faced 141 such encounters, with a record of 137-4, which is a return rate of 97.1%.
Most titles as a teenager
Nadal started the 2005 season at 18 years of age and ended it at 19. As a teenager, he produced the most prolific season of his career and nobody, so far, has matched him at such a young age. That year he won eleven titles in Costa do Sauipe, Acapulco, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Roland Garros, Bastad, Stuttgart, Canada, Beijing and Madrid, all added to the title he won in Sopot in 2004. Interestingly, the season included his only ever title on indoor hard courts (Madrid).
Photo Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Editor's note: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
“We’ve achieved so many amazing things together, now it’s up to you to continue doing them.”
As he looked at his teammates from the centre of the court, the sincerest words spoken by Rafael Nadal at his farewell ceremony on Tuesday were addressed to the new generation of talent. In particular, one member of that group will be bidding to maintain and extend the legacy the Spaniard leaves behind: Carlos Alcaraz.
At 21 years of age, Alcaraz has equalled many of his childhood hero’s records for precociousness. He has already been the No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, won four Grand Slam titles and donned an Olympic silver medal.
“For us young players coming up, who have many years ahead of us, we’ve been lucky to see the era of Rafa, Federer and Djokovic, although [Novak] is still playing... that battle between those three gladiators, players who aren’t from this planet,” said Alcaraz.
“But, at the same time, I’ll also say that [Rafa] has left a lot of people with the hope of seeing what is to come. In a way, if those of us that are here, the young players, those coming up behind him cannot reach that level, it will be seen as frustrating or disappointing for the world of tennis."
[ATP AWARDS]Alcaraz has always avoided any kind of comparison, but the media and tennis fans alike have inevitably pointed to the parallels between Alcaraz and Nadal.
“I’m going to try not to look at it like that, I’ll simply do my best every day,” he offered. “As Rafa said, he is ending his career happy and satisfied in knowing that he gave his all from the start until the final day of his career, and that’s what I’ll try to do. I’ll try to give my best, to be the best person and player I can every day, at every tournament, every year.”
Alcaraz was there to see Nadal’s final stretch on the ATP Tour, maybe not for as long as he would have liked, but at the 2021 Australian Open he practised with his compatriot for the first time and a few months later he celebrated his 18th birthday with his first match against Nadal at the Mutua Madrid Open.
Their Lexus ATP Head2Head includes a total of three matches, all in ATP Masters 1000s; in Madrid (2021, 2022) and Indian Wells (2022). But perhaps their most special memory together will be when they shared the same side of the court, representing Spain in doubles at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
“I’m lucky to be close to him, to have played doubles with him, to have practised with him, to have shared a Davis Cup team with him and the locker room in singles tournaments – not as much as I would have liked – I wish I’d arrived on tour earlier,” Alcaraz said.
But destiny has no respect for ones desires, and so it was that on the night of Tuesday 19 November Nadal definitively relinquished his crown and Alcaraz took the baton, but not without a caveat.
“We’ll see at the end of my career, but if it’s half of what he’s done I’ll be more than happy," Alcaraz said. "’m going to try and entertain people and leave a good legacy every day. It’s going to be very tough to follow what these giants have done.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
So much can happen during the lifetime of an elite. After a career spanning over 20 years, Rafael Nadal has decided to bring his time as a professional tennis player to an end. In doing so, he closes the door on the great rivalries that have shaped his life on the ATP Tour.
To mark the retirement of the Spanish superstar, ATPTour.com takes a look back at some of his biggest rivalries.
[ATP APP]Nadal vs. Roger Federer: 24-16 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series
Not only is it one of the biggest rivalries in the history of tennis, Nadal against Federer is one of the biggest rivalries in the history of sport; two foes who pushed each other to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Their diametrically contrasting styles generated a series of encounters that elevated tennis to previously unseen heights. The Spaniard and the Swiss won the hearts of fans in every corner of the planet every time they took court for another clash.
It all started in 2004, when a baby-faced 17-year-old Nadal upset Federer, the then-No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, with a resounding 6-3, 6-3 victory to reach the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami. The Swiss, who had already won two Grand Slam titles, was caught off-guard by what he faced on the other side of the net: a fearless, energetic, and powerful opponent who barely batted an eyelid as he brushed him aside.
Federer earned his revenge a year later on the same stage by beating Nadal in the 2005 Miami final, in an intense five-set clash (coming back from two sets down in what was the first classic encounter between the two legends). However, the Spaniard struck back by winning five matches on the trot to earn himself a 6-1 lead in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
There are some people you are simply destined to meet ♥️
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2024
Thank you Rafa & Roger, for the rivalry, the friendship, and the endless memories 💫 pic.twitter.com/M34RdwzFkd
That run included a Roland Garros semi-final and final (across 2005 and 2006), and three finals in Dubai, Monte Carlo and Rome, respectively, all of which went to the Spaniard. The latter, at the Foro Itálico, was one of the most thrilling battles between the pair: after more than five hours on court, Nadal celebrated victory having saved two match points. Federer was powerless as he watched the trophy slip from his grasp.
The Swiss would slow his rival’s momentum with a win in their first Wimbledon final (2006), and once again that year in the semis of the Nitto ATP Finals, eating into Nadal’s lead (3-6) and making a mental recovery from the pain inflicted on him during his five straight defeats to the Spaniard. It would be a close-run thing in 2007 (two wins to Nadal, three for Federer, including his first on clay in the Hamburg final), before the lefty from Mallorca took a clean sweep in a historic 2008 season.
That year, Nadal and Federer crossed paths four times. All four ended with the Spaniard lifting his arms to the sky in celebration. Nadal also won Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back. The latter was an assault on Federer’s favourite stomping ground, which he had, to that point, defended so vehemently from the Mallorcan (2-0, winner of the 2006 and 2007 finals).
That match, the 2008 Wimbledon final, is considered by many as one of the best in the history of tennis. Nadal took the first two sets before Federer levelled a tie that would be decided in a nail-biting 9-7 fifth set, with barely any light left at the All England Tennis Club, just when it looked like they would be unable to finish until the next day.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
The fact that Nadal kick-started 2009 by beating the Swiss at the Australian Open surely had something to do with what had happened at Wimbledon six months earlier. After Melbourne, where the Spaniard claimed an electrifying final that also went to a fifth set, the Lexus ATP Head2Head tally between the pair stood at 13-6 to the Balearic Islander.
Nadal would string together another five victories between 2013 and 2014 before Federer claimed six of his own (2015 to 2019), coinciding with the period when the Spaniard was returning from a significant right-knee injury.
These would prove to be the last encounters in a rivalry whose final two matches came in 2019, both at Grand Slams: Nadal beat Federer in the semi-finals at Roland Garros, and the Swiss returned the favour in the same round at Wimbledon.
Of the 40 matches between the two players, 20 were on hard courts (11-9 to Federer) 16 on clay (14-2 to Nadal), and four on grass (3-1 to the Swiss). In Grand Slams, the Spaniard led the Swiss 10-4.
Apart from the numbers, which provide context for the rivalry, they have left something more intangible in their wake; the special aura of two players who defined an era as they went head-to-head on the biggest stages on the planet.
Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic: 29-31 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series
No two players have faced each other on more occasions than Nadal and Djokovic (who played 60 tour-level matches in total), a fact that tells all you need to know about the significance of the rivalry between the Spaniard and the Serb. Two of the best players of all time, they kept up their personal tussle for almost two decades.
The pair first squared off in 2006, in the quarter-finals of Roland Garros, where Nadal took the spoils after the retirement of the Serbian in the third set. Although their first final together came just one year later (2007 Indian Wells), with victory going to the Spaniard, it was some time until their first meeting in a Grand Slam decider: in 2010, at the US Open. Nadal emerged victorious in their first clash for a major title.
During those years, Nadal notched a significant lead in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series (15-7), although Djokovic did win three consecutive matches in 2009 (in Cincinnati, Paris, and at the Nitto ATP Finals, respectively). As he gained experience, the Serbian improved at an astonishing rate and his tug-of-war with Nadal appeared to help him push towards his best tennis.
After losing that 2010 US Open final to the Spaniard and also their group-stage clash at the Nitto ATP Finals, Djokovic suddenly upped his game in a way that none could have predicted. The Serbian beat the Manacor native in seven straight finals across 2011 and 2012: Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Rome, Wimbledon, US Open, and the Australian Open, defeating him on hard court, clay, and grass.
That memorable match in Melbourne, which lasted five hours and 53 minutes, is the longest final in Grand Slam history. Although Djokovic took the title, in some way, Nadal had managed to change the dynamic in their rivalry, forcing the Serbian to play his absolute best to come through the encounter with the trophy in his hands.
Photo Credit: PAUL CROCK/AFP via Getty Images
Nadal almost immediately reaped the rewards for his performance Down Under. The Spaniard won his next three ties with Djokovic (Monte Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros), ending his nemesis’ confidence-boosting seven-win streak.
In the years that followed, their rivalry would be more matched, with both players claiming their fair share of wins (Nadal beat Djokovic in the 2013 US Open final and the 2014 Roland Garros final, while the Serbian came out on top in Beijing and at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2013, as well as in Miami and Rome in 2014).
Djokovic again exerted a period of dominance over Nadal by winning another seven consecutive matches across 2015 and 2016 in Monte Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros (his first win over Nadal at the clay-court major), Beijing, the Nitto ATP Finals, Doha, Indian Wells and Rome, before Nadal finally brought the run to an end in 2017 in Madrid with a superb semi-final victory.
In 2018, the pair put on a tremendous show in their Wimbledon semi-final clash, which was delayed due to poor light on Friday and continued on Saturday, when Djokovic sealed a 10-8 fifth-set win. Both players produced some jaw-dropping tennis, much to the delight of the fans.
Between 2019 and 2021, the two legends only crossed paths in finals, with Djokovic winning at the Australian Open (2019) and the ATP Cup (2020). Nadal took the bragging rights in Rome (2019), at Roland Garros (2020), and again in Rome (2021).
Fate would have it that the last three encounters of their rivalry came at Roland Garros: Djokovic won in the 2021 semi-finals, Nadal prevailed in the 2022 quarter-finals and the Serbian ended their long history with a second-round victory at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Nadal vs. Andy Murray: 17-7 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series
To his enormous credit, Murray managed to make room for himself next to the so-called Big Three of tennis (Djokovic, Nadal and Federer). The Briton gave Nadal plenty to think about over their 24 Lexus ATP Head2Head encounters.
Nadal dominated their earliest clashes, winning the first five matches (from the 2007 Australian Open to the 2008 semi-final in Canada). In a clear demonstration of his authority, the Spaniard raced away from the Briton, laying the foundations for their rivalry with victories on hard court, clay, and grass.
Murray finally got his first win in the semi-finals of the 2008 US Open. It was a triumph that helped him win again in the 2009 final in Rotterdam, where Nadal could see that Murray had learned from his previous defeats and was now ready to respond. Nadal would have to work much harder in the future to defeat his rival.
Photo Credit: Hamish Blair/Getty Images
Although they never crossed paths in a Grand Slam final, Nadal and Murray played again at the Australian Open (2010 quarter-finals, win to Murray), Roland Garros (2011 and 2014 semi-finals, wins for Nadal), Wimbledon (2010 and 2011 semi-finals, Nadal), and the US Open (2011 semi-finals, Nadal).
Curiously, Murray managed to see off Nadal twice in the Spaniard's homeland, in the 2015 final and the 2016 semi-final in Madrid. The latter was the last time they would find each other on opposite sides of the net.
The 24 matches they contested break down as follows: 4-4 on hard courts, with Nadal leading on clay (7-2) and on grass (3-0). Nadal finished with a 7-2 lead against Murray in Grand Slam encounters.
Nadal vs. Others
Besides Federer, Djokovic, and Murray, undoubtedly the most important opponents of Nadal’s dazzling career, there are plenty of other players the Spaniard had frequent clashes with, creating more great rivalries during his two decades on the Tour.
David Ferrer (26-6 to Nadal)
Nadal and Ferrer contested eight finals (all won by Nadal), including the Roland Garros title match in 2014. These were some of the standout moments in an all-Spanish rivalry in which Ferrer took first blood (in Stuttgart 2004), and where the Alicante native also sunk Nadal at the US Open (2007) and at the Nitto ATP Finals (2007).
Stan Wawrinka (19-3 to Nadal)
Nadal flew out of the blocks in his series of encounters with Wawrinka, winning his first 12 clashes against the Swiss. However, Wawrinka would have his revenge, defeating Nadal in the 2012 Australian Open final, although the Spaniard was playing after hurting his back in the warm up. They met again in another major final, with Nadal prevailing at Roland Garros in 2017.
Juan Martin del Potro (11-6 to Nadal)
Four early triumphs for Nadal were followed by three for Del Potro, laying the foundations for a spectacular rivalry between two passionate players who loved to entertain the fans. The Spaniard won the only final they contested (2013 Indian Wells), while the Argentine claimed some huge victories of his own: in the semi-finals of the 2009 US Open, the semi-finals of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and the semi-finals of the 2018 US Open.
Dominic Thiem (10-6 to Nadal)
Two Roland Garros finals claimed by Nadal marked the pinnacle his rivalry with Thiem, which took on particular significance on clay courts. However, it also provided some spectacular episodes elsewhere, such as in the quarter-finals of the 2018 US Open (where Nadal won in a fifth-set tie-break) and the quarter-finals of the 2020 Australian Open, won by Thiem.
Editor's note: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
Regardless of potential and promise, all tennis players first work through the ATP Challenger Tour to begin their climb to the upper echelons of the sport. Rafael Nadal was no exception.
In 2003, Nadal — then 16 years old — sported a baggy t-shirt with sleeves draped to his elbows as he captured his maiden Challenger title in Barletta, Italy. That afternoon on the Adriatic coast featured the biggest career title run for the Spanish teenager at the time. Now it is remembered as a pivotal moment in his rise to greatness.
[ATP APP]Nadal was already accustomed to milestones. Just two years earlier, the teen showcased his scintillating forehand and unmatched court coverage to become the third-youngest player to notch a Challenger match win.
As the No. 152 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, the lefty lifted his first ATP Challenger Tour title, defeating countryman Albert Portas 6-2, 7-6(2) in the Barletta final. Fittingly, Nadal’s first Challenger crown came on clay, the surface on which he claimed a record 63 tour-level titles.
Albert Portas and Rafael Nadal at the Barletta Challenger, 2003. Credit: Barletta Challenger
The Spaniard belongs to an exclusive club of seven players who have lifted a Challenger trophy at the age of 16 and under. This is what the ATP Challenger Tour prides itself in: Being a building block for young players testing their game against the world’s best.
And little did the fans in Barletta know that the teenager in front of their eyes would someday become just that — one of the world’s best.
Nadal competed in only three more Challenger tournaments, highlighted by his triumph on home soil in Segovia in July 2003. Only two men have captured multiple Challenger titles at a younger age than Nadal: Richard Gasquet (2003) and Felix Auger-Aliassime (2017).
Rafael Nadal wins the 2003 Segovia Challenger. Credit: Open Castilla y Leon
Nadal’s Segovia triumph came with an additional milestone. He secured his place in the Top 50 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time. The 92-time tour-level titlist eventually spent 209 weeks as World No. 1 throughout his illustrious career.
It has been more than two decades since Nadal competed on the ATP Challenger Tour, but the 38-year-old has not been absent from that level. The very platform that helped launch Nadal’s journey has routinely made a stop at The Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar since 2018.
The state-of-the-art facility hosts a hard-court Challenger tournament during the first week of the US Open and provides the next crop of young players with the same opportunities that Nadal once seized. It is one way Nadal continues to give back to the sport, ensuring the ATP Challenger Tour remains a critical platform for developing talent.
Rafael Nadal at the Manacor Challenger in September. Credit: Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar
There's only one @RafaelNadal 😤🇪🇸#RafaSiempre | @atptour pic.twitter.com/aKPseIxOIh
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 19, 2024
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
Following Rafael Nadal’s final match on Tuesday at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, a host of tennis legends, including Rod Laver, Serena Williams and Roger Federer, paid tribute to the Spanish great on social media.
There was also a considerable outpouring of praise from well-known figures from outside tennis. Messages such as one from former football superstar David Beckham are a reflection of the way Nadal has transcended sport.
Rafa, watching you compete has been a privilege. Your legacy will endure as one of the greatest to ever grace the game. Thank you for the countless unforgettable moments and for setting a standard of excellence that will inspire generations to come. Wishing you happiness and… pic.twitter.com/gOgGAS7VCC
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) November 20, 2024
Vamos, @RafaelNadal!
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 19, 2024
As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.
Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I…
From one sporting icon to another ❤️
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024
David Beckham with a heartfelt tribute to the retiring Rafael Nadal.#graciasrafa #daviscup pic.twitter.com/2MDh72vWM8
Habrá muchas más Davis, Rafa solo hay uno ❤️ Gracias a ti me he convertido en tenista profesional. Ha sido una suerte poder vivir tu carrera como un niño para el que fuiste un ídolo y luego como un compañero de equipo más! El mejor embajador posible que deja un legado eterno 🙏🏻… pic.twitter.com/WFeTcgVGO5
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) November 20, 2024
Too much 😭 https://t.co/co3YK4rp6C
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) November 19, 2024
Simplemente GRACIAS RAFA!!! 🫶#Nadal pic.twitter.com/TQZyHauHfZ
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) November 19, 2024
today, I am from spain 🇪🇸 #rafa
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) November 19, 2024
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be on the other side of the net to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner? According to Luca Van Assche, the pace of the ball, the explosive movement and clean timing make it one of sports biggest tests.
As part of our Next Gen 'My Influences' series, the Frenchman opened the lid on his encounters with Alcaraz and Sinner, having hit with the former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champions this year.
Van Assche, currently fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, also discusses his memories of facing 2018 champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in Melbourne, the support from his family and early Roland Garros memories.
[ATP APP]Which former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion do you most identify with?
It's difficult because there are a lot of different players. But out of my game, I think I connect [most] with the first [champion], Hyeon Chung. He's very solid. Physically very good. He can hit a lot from the baseline with a very good backhand. I think the other guys are not really my type of game.
What memorable interactions have you had with the former Next Gen champions?
I played against [Stefanos] Tsitsipas this year at the Australian Open. It was my first time in the third round. It was nice. I practised with him also. I played Medjedovic last year and the others, I think I've just practised with Sinner, Alcaraz and Nakashima.
What stood out to you about those guys when you played with him?
Of course, they have very good games. Sinner and Alcaraz, number one and two in the world. With Alcaraz, I practised with him this year at Roland Garros, right before the tournament. Of course his forehand is incredible. His intensity on the practice court is great. With Sinner, I practised with him this year in Monte-Carlo. His capacity to take the ball early and play so fast — is something crazy.
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My Influences: Gaubas opens up on 'amazing' Alcaraz experience
My Influences: Tien trusting the process & bouncing off Michelsen
My Influences: Quinn on 'grounded' Sinner & Paul's mentorship
What is your first memory of watching professional tennis?
When I was a kid, I watched a lot of matches. Every year I watched Roland Garros on TV. I watched the Davis Cup when France played.
Is there a Roland Garros match that you remember watching?
Of course I saw the Novak-Rafa 9-7 in the fifth [in 2013]. Then I saw the final against [David] Ferrer. I went a couple years to Roland Garros when I was a kid. I was living in Lyon and I went to see the quarter-finals. I saw Tommy Haas against Djokovic in the quarters [in 2013]. I saw Nadal against Ferrer, also in the quarter-finals [in 2014]. I went to the train early with my family, we went there, watched the match and went back to Lyon in the evening. It was nice memories. On TV, I think every afternoon after school I was going home and putting it on the TV.
Who have been some of the general influences in your life over the years, whether it be parents, early coaches, other people who have influenced you?
I think my parents because I lived with them since I was a kid and I still live with them. They gave me their education. The person who I am now is because of them. I think also my coach Yannick Quere. From age 11 to this year, I was only with him and seeing him more than my family. He's an incredible person also. I grew up a lot with him.
Do you have any specific lessons you learned from either your parents or a coach?
My parents taught me a lot — that I need to be a humble person, to work hard to achieve what I want to achieve. Basics in life, but very important. I think also Yannick, he had the same mentality as my parents. Of course, it's very important to play well in tennis because he was my tennis coach, but the most important is also the part outside the court. You need to be a good person, not just a good tennis player. That's a little bit what they taught me.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
I first met Rafa when he was 11 years old, in Stuttgart. He was playing in a tournament on the Nike Junior Tour, in the under-12 category, and I was playing in the Masters 1000 in the same city. I think that at that time it was part of the Super 9 or Masters Series category, I can’t remember now. I was playing with Becker and Rafa came to the practice the day before with someone from Nike, who introduced him to me. They asked me to play 10 minutes with him, and we knocked up for a bit. That was the first time we crossed paths. I thought he was a very shy and well-mannered boy, who barely spoke. Then on court he was transformed and his intensity was so high for someone of his age.
Later, in 2016, it was such a joy to receive the call from the team, but first I wanted to have a conversation alone with him. He was coming off the back of two seasons where things had not gone well for him, he was 30 years old and didn’t know what to do going forward. We sat down to talk at my house and he laid out his goals for me. I didn't hesitate in the slightest to accept because I could see he’d be able to achieve them. I was hugely confident and when I saw his desire to try to get back to where he deserved to be, which was at the top and winning Grand Slam titles, I didn’t hesitate to join the project.
With that desire, I knew that he’d be perfectly capable of achieving it.
[ATP AWARDS]
Honestly, I thought my new role would be more difficult because it was a big change. We’d been friends for over 20 years, shared a lot together, both on and off the court, and becoming his coach... I was doubtful about how it might work. It’s true that Rafa is very well-mannered and respectful, I’ve never heard him say a single word against his team or his family. That’s something I also valued and it helped me when it came to working with him. I don’t like the word ‘boss’, but sometimes you make decisions or you have conversations that aren’t easy and it’s hard travelling and spending so much time together. I was scared that that could erode the friendship side of it, but it wasn’t the case.
During that time, I’d say that nothing surprised me, but I admired a lot of things. I wasn’t at all surprised because my expectations had always been so high with him. But it is true that you are always amazed with his capacity to evolve and improve.
Personally, I’m fascinated by the fact that he can play every point as if the previous one didn’t happen, that’s so hard to do in tennis. Rafa is able to put anything bad that happens to one side and forget it. That’s one of the keys that allow him to fight for every point, every set, every match; one of the keys that have allowed him to go so far. The definition of resilience, a word that is very fashionable, is Rafa. He has fallen many times, particularly with injuries, and he has always got back up and come back. All those skills are incredible and they’d surprise me in anyone else I didn’t know, but I know Rafa... It doesn’t surprise me, but it makes me admire him a lot.
Now that everything is over, I have many memories of an incredible period of my life that will never be matched. It’s something I’ll always carry with me. I’m grateful that he thought I could form part of his team for this adventure. I’ve learned so much, I’ve had the chance to spend eight years with one of the greats in the history of this sport and my memories of it are wonderful.
Of course, there will be things I’ll miss, but they’re things I’m grateful for. Having enjoyed all that time with a player like him, with a person like him, all the experiences we’ve had together with the team...
I’m sure there’ll be moments when I’ll look back and feel nostalgia, but I always look at new beginnings as a positive thing. Fortunately, I have a wonderful family with whom I’ll be able to spend a lot of time. I’m sure I’ll feel nostalgia, but what I feel above all is gratitude and appreciation.
*Carlos Moyà was Rafael Nadal’s coach from 2017 to 2024
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
Wesley Koolhof made sure to remind everyone that Rafael Nadal wasn’t the only one retiring from professional tennis this week at the Davis Cup in Malaga.
The 35-year-old, competing in his final tour-level event, teamed up with Botic van de Zandschulp to secure a vital 7-6(4), 7-6(3) victory over Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers on Tuesday evening to book The Netherland’s spot in the semi-finals. Defeat for Spain ensured that Nadal’s straight-sets loss to Van de Zandschulp in the first singles rubber was the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s final match as a pro.
“I reached a very, very high level today, which I am very happy about,” said Koolhof. “I think we, as a team, did an amazing job again. Botic told me he struggled on returns, but as long as he made it on match point, I’m happy. This was one of my best matches of the year. I’m looking forward to the next one.”
A bullet return from @wesleykoolhof 💥@DavisCup | #DavisCuppic.twitter.com/ty0nr0Re3T
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2024
Producing assured tennis on both serve and return to keep his playing career alive, Koolhof was at the heart of their two-hour, 12-minute victory. A string of sizzling return winners and classy net play in key moments sent the Dutch duo on their way to reaching the last four in the Davis Cup for the first time since 2001.
“Wesley helped me a lot there, he returned unbelievably,” said Van de Zandschulp. “He played amazing, it’s a shame he is going to retire after this event. We could use him next year. It’s been an incredible day.”
Alcaraz, the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings, had levelled the quarter-final tie at 1-1 with his triumph over Tallon Griekspoor, and it seemed as if he was pulling Spain to an epic comeback when he fired a forehand winner to break Van de Zandschulp’s serve in the second set. The tactical input and emotional support from Nadal on the sidelines didn’t prove enough, however, as the Dutch duo refused to roll over.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
“Gracias, Rafa!”
The thousands of fans packing out Malaga’s Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena chanted in unison on Tuesday evening, vocalising the feelings of the entire sporting world to become a wall of affection for Rafael Nadal, whose glittering career had just concluded.
Surrounded by his teammates, with whom he had just bowed out of the battle for the famous Salad Bowl in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup, the Spaniard addressed the centre court with his final farewell to professional tennis.
“I’m the one who should be thankful... to so many people that it’s difficult to know where to start,” began Nadal, while the universally unmistakable “Vamos, Rafa!” chant rang out.
[ATP AWARDS]
It was to those singing his name, giving their hero a standing ovation, that he first spoke. “Honestly, it’s been 20 years of a professional career in which you have always buoyed me, during good moments you helped me win the next point and in difficult moments you pushed me to keep fighting. In Spain and in the world in general, I’ve felt super fortunate to receive so much affection.”
Nadal congratulated the opposing team for progressing to the semi-finals, but also his teammates, so many of whom were with him for a large stretch of his time on tour.
“I’d like to thank the entire Spanish team who are here. All of you have allowed me to play in this Davis Cup. It didn’t turn out as we wanted, I gave everything I had,” he said of their performances in the Final 8. “Many of the most emotional moments of my career have been with many of the people who are here, it’s been a huge privilege. We’ve achieved so many amazing things together and now it’s time for you all to keep achieving them.”
The words represented the handing over of the baton and the conclusion of his incalculable legacy. Nadal has made way for the new generations, as every great sportsman must do. The 38-year-old explained: “The reality is that you never want this moment to come, I’m not tired of playing tennis, but my body doesn’t want to play tennis anymore.
“You have to accept the situation, I feel super privileged. I’ve been able to make one of my hobbies into my career, and it was much longer than I would have imagined. I can only be grateful to life,” he added.
Nadal did not forget his sponsors, the press, the tennis institutions and the tennis industry. He also had words for the friends he has found in the sport, but above all, he had a very special message for those closest to him, his family and team, who were in the stands.
There are no words to thank you enough for what you’ve done to the sport.
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2024
Gracias, Rafa ❤️@RafaelNadal | #RafaSiempre
pic.twitter.com/PsYuuPbwGb
“I’m calm because I received an education that allows me to approach [my new life] with peace of mind. I have a great family around me who help me,” he said to his loved ones with a tear in his eye.
Squatting in the middle of the court, Nadal then watched video messages of affection from many of those who have been around him throughout his career. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, as well as the likes of Serena Williams, Andrés Iniesta, Iker Casillas, David Beckham, Rodrigo Hernández, Conchita Martínez and Sergio García.
Before leaving the court, his captain, friend and teammate, David Ferrer, gave him a final send-off.
“We’ll miss you so much, that ‘Vamos, Rafa!’ will never be forgotten. You’ve provided a role model for any person or player to aspire to,” he said. “I always say that the best way to learn is by example and you’ve been our example. There are people who are remembered for their achievements, some until the end of their lives, and others eternally. You will be the latter.”
19 November 2024 will forever be remembered as the day that one of the biggest stars ever to grace the ATP Tour had his swansong. Meanwhile, the entire sporting world chants in unison: ‘Vamos Rafa! Gracias, Rafa!’
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
It was not an easy situation to handle, even for Rafael Nadal, who has proven throughout his career that he has an extraordinary ability to manage his emotions. Before taking to the court on Tuesday, the former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings was unable to hold back the tears as he listened to his country’s anthem, knowing that it might be the last time he did so before going to battle on court.
“It’s been an emotional day,” said Nadal later after falling to a straight-sets defeat in his Davis Cup Final 8 clash with Botic van de Zandschulp. “I knew it could be my last match as a professional tennis player. The moments leading up to it were emotional, kind of difficult to handle, in general. So many emotions. I tried to do it as well as possible.”
Seeing the humour even on times like this… only Rafa 🥲@RafaelNadal | @DavisCup | #RafaSiempre | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/mv5WVKcxvU
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2024
The Spanish legend’s best effort was unable to see off the Netherlands’ Van de Zandschulp, who earned his country a 1-0 lead in the quarter-final tie with a 6-4, 6-4 win after one hour and 51 minutes. Carlos Alcaraz then downed Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets to force a deciding doubles rubber in Malaga, but Wesley Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp later clinched a 2-1 win that ended Nadal's career with a straight-sets doubles triumph against Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers.
“I tried to have the best attitude possible, with the necessary energy, whatever the result,” continued Nadal after his singles defeat. “There was a glimmer of hope at the end, but it wasn’t to be. My opponent was better than me today and that’s that.”
Nadal had not competed since bowing out to Novak Djokovic in the second round at the Olympic Games in Paris in July. Since then, he has only been able to train on the practice court. However, he felt ready enough to be available to his captain, David Ferrer, for the tie.
“The decision was made that I would play. We knew it was a slightly risky decision. David had seen us all practising and we all thought I was the right player for the match,” explained the 92-time tour-level champion. “I tried, it wasn’t to be, in the end you can’t control your level, just your attitude, your energy, and your determination. That didn’t let me down. I simply wasn’t able to do what was required to get Spain a point.”
Nadal’s form was always an unknown factor: “I said that if I didn’t feel it, I wouldn’t play,” he reminded journalists. “I think my practice was good enough, but in competition I wasn’t able to perform as I would have liked. But the preparation was good.”
With the end of his career so close, two inevitable questions arose. Firstly, would he ever play a singles match again? The man himself answered: “Hopefully there is another opportunity, and we progress today. I think I would play a different player if I were captain, although I don’t have the power to make that decision now, it’s not up to me.”
Ultimately, however, the Netherlands' triumph ensured Nadal was not to experience one more match as a pro.
“I would experience it every day if I could,” Nadal had said when Spain remained alive in the tie. “But one thing is that I would like, and another is what’s best for the team. What an individual feels like isn’t necessarily the best for the team.
“It’s not for a lack of desire, of course I have the desire. I’m here because of my desire. Hopefully the situation arises. I’ll keep working to be available in doubles or singles. I’m just saying that having seen my level in competition, I think if I was captain, I wouldn’t select me.”
[ATP AWARDS]
With nothing for the Spaniard left to prove and with a legendary career already in the bag, nobody can blame him for today’s result. He battled until the final point. He fought to come back when nothing was going for him: the speed of the court, a lack of match time, and an opponent who was better on the day.
“Even when I’ve won, I’ve always been tough and self-critical of myself,” said the 22-time major champion. “To try and improve, I’ve always looked for the negatives. But today, which may be my last match, I’m not going to be hard on myself. I had nothing more. That’s the reality.”
Editor's note: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
CINCINNATI (November 19, 2024) – The Cincinnati Open reached a pivotal moment in its $260 million campus transformation with a topping-out ceremony this week, marking the completion of the structural framework for several major projects. This milestone, which comes just 85 days after the conclusion of the 2024 tournament, was celebrated as one of the final steel beams was signed and installed on the new Clubhouse building, symbolizing progress toward a reimagined venue for one of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments.
[ATP AWARDS]“This is an exciting milestone for the Cincinnati Open,” said Beemok Sports & Entertainment President Bob Moran. “We are grateful for the dedication of Barton Malow and all of the contractors on site who are bringing our vision of a world-class, year-round campus to life. As we approach the 2025 tournament, these developments will significantly enhance the experience for players, fans and the local community.”
Photo Credit: Cincinnati Open
Over the past 12 weeks, crews have already worked more than 130,000 hours, placing more than 260 tons of steel and pouring 2,000 cubic yards of concrete. When completed, the renovation will nearly double the campus size to 40.5 acres, adding key features such as a 55,000-square-foot Clubhouse with a year-round restaurant, a six-court indoor tennis facility, and a 19,000-square-foot Pavilion designed as a central fan gathering space.
Posing with the signed beam are (L to R) State Representative Adam Mathews, Mason Vice Mayor Ashley Chance, Warren County Commissioner Dave Young, Beemok Sports & Entertainment President Bob Moran, Cincinnati Open Capital Projects Director Jansen Dell and Barton Malow Senior Vice President Sean Hollister. Photo Credit: Cincinnati Open.
The transformation is part of a collaboration between tournament owner Beemok Capital, the City of Mason, Warren County, and the State of Ohio. The project is set to create more than 800 jobs and is on track for completion by August 2025, in time for the tournament’s expansion to 14 days and a 96-player draw for both men’s and women’s singles.
Founded in 1899, the Cincinnati Open is one of five events in the world to feature concurrent, top-tier ATP and WTA 1000-level tournaments, joining Madrid, Miami, Rome and Indian Wells, Calif. The 2024 Cincinnati Open attracted more than 200,000 spectators and crowned the eventual year-end No. 1 players – Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner – as its singles champions. The 2025 tournament will take place 5-18 August.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
When the pressure peaks and the moment demands brilliance, Carlos Alcaraz almost never falters.
The 21-year-old powered past Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0), 6-3 on Tuesday evening to level Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final tie with the Netherlands at 1-1. After Rafael Nadal, competing in his final tour-level event, had fallen to Botic van de Zandschulp in straight-sets, it was down to Alcaraz to prolong his idol’s career.
“It’s an emotional day, but once you step on the court you have to forget everything and show your best tennis,” said Alcaraz. “It’s the Davis Cup, it's a really important tournament for me, I think for everyone. I try to play my best tennis, get the win, and give Spain the chance to qualify and win. I did it for Rafa.
“I started the match pretty well, it was just that one game that I lost the focus a little bit. I missed some easy forehands and let him get the break, so I had to stay there, it was just one game. I tried to stay positive. I’m really happy that I got it in two sets.”
VAMOS CARLITOS 🇪🇸 @carlosalcaraz keeps Spain alive, leveling the tie against the Netherlands! 1⃣ - 1⃣@DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/XOpAPNPQqf
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2024
Trailing 2-4 in the first set, Alcaraz turned the match on its head with some typically scintillating tennis. The flawless end to the first set was the second time that Alcaraz won a tie-break 7/0 against Griekspoor in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, which the Spaniard now leads 5-0.
Alcaraz since returned to the court with Marcel Granollers to play in the decisive doubles rubber, but came unstuck by an inspired Wesley Koolhof, who is also playing in his final tour-level event. The 35-year-old, alongside Van de Zandschulp, secured a 7-6(4), 7-6(3) triumph to seal a 2-1 victory for The Netherlands over Spain.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
Alex Michelsen is set to return to the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF armed with an extra year of experience, another inch of height and 20 more pounds of muscle. Having entered Jeddah shortly after his Top 100 breakthrough in the PIF ATP Rankings last year, the American has been in the Top 50 since August.
Not bad for a young man who thought professional tennis was a pipe dream until he recently burst onto the scene.
"Two years ago this time I never thought I would be a professional tennis player," said the 20-year-old. "I was always solid. I was never too good. I wasn't like a Carlos [Alcaraz] or a Holger [Rune], who everyone knew was good. I was good, but I wasn't great."
Following a breakout run to the Newport final last season, Michelsen was seeded fourth in Jeddah, where he lost two fifth-set tie-breaks and missed out on the knockout rounds. After reaching the Newport final again this season — making him the youngest player since Alcaraz to reach consecutive finals at an ATP Tour event — he returns this year as the second seed. Facing the 6-foot-5 Michelsen will be a tall task for any opponent.
"It's a big stage. The top eight 20-and-under players in the world," Michelsen previewed. "It's tough, but I think I'll know to handle it a little better this year."
[ATP AWARDS]Michelsen said he feels stronger and fitter than ever after dedicating himself to fitness work since late 2023. He has put in the hard hours with fitness coach Rodney Harrison, who trained Robby Ginepri — Michelsen's current coach — when he was on the ATP Tour.
"I think that the gym work is just as important, if not more important than the tennis stuff now, at least for me," said Michelsen, noting that coordination is key for success in his tall and lanky frame.
While Michelsen's fitness continues to improve, Ginepri calls his tennis IQ his best asset.
"He loves the game," said Ginepri. "If he's not playing, he's watching it. If he's not watching it, he's thinking about it. He's a student of the game, which is great to see at his age."
Before his instant success on the ATP Tour, Michelsen was considering becoming a student of a different kind and seeking a business degree in college. Instead, his stock is rising on the pro level.
"Being on the Tour is a lot more fun," he said. "I'm super happy with the decision I made."
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
Botic van de Zandschulp had no intention of following the script on Tuesday in his Davis Cup Final 8 clash with Rafael Nadal.
The 29-year-old eased to a 6-4, 6-4 win to put Netherlands 1-0 ahead in their quarter-final tie against Spain. Unfazed by the magnitude of the occasion, Van de Zandschulp delivered an initial blow to Nadal’s hopes of drawing the curtain on his life as a pro with a sixth Davis Cup crown.
Later in the day, Van de Zandschulp teamed with Wesley Koolhof for a 7-6(4), 7-6(3) doubles victory against Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers that ended Nadal’s career. The Dutch duo stayed clutch at key moments to earn their country a 2-1 victory after Carlos Alcaraz had downed Tallon Griekspoor in the second singles rubber.
Botic van de Zandschulp in action against Rafael Nadal on Tuesday in Malaga. Photo Credit: Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images
“In the beginning, I think we were both nervous,” said Van de Zandschulp after his singles win against Nadal. “The first set didn’t go too smoothly, the crowd was tough, understandably. That’s what it’s like to play in Spain against Rafa. He’s the biggest sportsman that [has] ever lived here in Spain. It was a really special event.
“It’s tough to close out a match against him, knowing that it could be his last or not. I was hoping more than going for it, but in the end, I just went for it and that helped.”
There is always a distinctive atmosphere at the Davis Cup, but the intensity surrounding this fixture in Malaga felt unmatched. As the Spanish team lined up for their national anthem, Nadal stood front and centre, visibly moved. Tears welled in the eyes of the 22-time Grand Slam champion, as if the weight of his legacy, his achievements, and the entirety of his career had flashed before him.
All the emotions ❤️🇪🇸@RafaelNadal | @DavisCup
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2024
pic.twitter.com/kqxqUc7iB3
The electric atmosphere inside the arena, fueled by raucous chants of; 'Rafa, Rafa' from the capacity crowd, seemed to weigh heavily on Van de Zandschulp in the early stages. The Dutchman fired three consecutive double faults in his opening service game, but managed to steady himself and ease into the affair.
In stark contrast to the relentless baseline play that has defined Nadal’s career, the 38-year-old adopted a more aggressive serve-and-volley approach. Van de Zandschulp, alert to the tactical shift, capitalised with two passing shot winners to break Nadal’s serve in a pivotal ninth game before closing out the first set.
Despite competing in his first match since his second-round loss to Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics, there were moments of brilliance from Nadal. The trademark grit and determination that would become a hallmark of his illustrious career was on full display in the sixth game of the second set. In a back-and-forth tussle lasting 10 minutes, Nadal stayed within touching distance to claw back one of the breaks of serve, encapsulating everything that he stands for, both on and off the court.
Ridiculous Rafa! 🤯#DavisCup @RafaelNadal #Rafa #GraciasRafa pic.twitter.com/IU0GPrUhNQ
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024
After Nadal had reeled off two consecutive games for the first time in the match to move to 3-4, doubts started to reappear in Van de Zandschulp’s game. The Dutchman, however, mustered some gutsy serving from 0/30 to silence the Spanish supporters.
After one hour, 53 minutes of battle fueled by emotion, Van de Zandschulp held his nerve to put an end to Nadal’s 29-match winning streak at the Davis Cup.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
When Rafael Nadal stepped onto Wimbledon's hallowed courts in 2003, a buzz surrounded the young Spaniard, hinting at his potential to dominate on the grandest stages.
At just 17, Nadal, though slight in stature with his Nike shirt draping loosely, showcased tenacity that belied his age. He battled past former World No. 7 Mario Ancic in four sets, marking his debut main-draw victory at a major. Nadal's journey to the third round at SW19 in 2003 made him the youngest man since Boris Becker in 1984 to reach the last 32 at Wimbledon.
Leaving London that summer, Nadal carried with him heightened expectations, but hard work lay ahead. Little did anyone suspect the monumental Grand Slam career that would follow.
With 314 Grand Slam match wins and an astounding 22 major titles to his name, ATPTour.com revisits Nadal’s pivotal moments across all four majors, tracing his journey from promising newcomer to history maker.
[ATP APP]Australian Open – Champion 2009, 2022; Win/Loss 77-16
Nadal had missed the second half of the 2021 season with a left foot injury and arrived in Australia with limited match time to his name. While he won an ATP 250 event in Melbourne in the lead up, expectations on the Spaniard were low heading into the 2022 Australian Open.
Fast forward two weeks and Nadal was the champion at the major for the second time, having produced one of the great major final comebacks. He battled back from two-sets-to-love down to defeat Daniil Medvedev, with the Spaniard’s 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory in five hours and 24 minutes moving him to 21 major crowns, a lead in the Grand Slam race at the time.
“Tonight has been very special,” Nadal said. “I give it everything that I have inside, believe me. I am super, super-tired in all ways. I even can’t celebrate. But was the day to give everything. I enjoyed. I enjoyed the fight. I enjoyed the emotions. At the end have this trophy with me means everything today.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Nadal’s victory against Medvedev is one that defines the lefty's career. The then-35-year-old looked down and out when he trailed 2-6, 6-7(5), 2-3, 0/40, but refused to surrender, straining every muscle to wrestle the title away from Medvedev. That night in Melbourne is Nadal’s greatest at the AO, but is closely followed by his title run at the event in 2009, when he clawed past Roger Federer in five sets to win his first Aussie Open trophy.
Federer would go on to gain revenge against Nadal in the 2017 final, one of four title matches the Spaniard lost in Melbourne. Nadal’s most notable championship-match heartbreak came in 2012 when he lost to Novak Djokovic in five sets. The clash lasted five hours and 53 minutes, overtaking the longest major final match record that was previously set by Mats Wilander and Ivan Lendl at the 1988 US Open.
Nadal, who fell to Stan Wawrinka in the 2014 final and Djokovic again in the 2019 title match, tallied a 77-16 record in Melbourne, where he advanced to the quarter-final stage or beyond in 14 of his 18 appearances. His first match win at the AO came in 2004 against Michael Tabara.
Roland Garros – Champion 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022; Win/Loss 112-4 Nadal's saga at Roland Garros is a tennis and sporting tale like no other. It is a story of grit, glory and an almost mythical dominance on the red clay in Paris. Since bursting onto the scene in 2005, Nadal transformed the Parisian tournament into his personal kingdom, amassing a staggering 14 titles. This record isn't merely a collection of victories; it's a chronicle of resilience, strategic brilliance, and unyielding passion.Nadal’s introduction to Roland Garros in 2005 was sensational. At just 19, he stormed through the tournament, his youthful exuberance matched by a tenacity that belied his age. He defeated then-World No. 1 Roger Federer in the semi-finals to earn his first clay-court victory against the Swiss before he overpowered Mariano Puerta in the final, signaling the dawn of a new era in tennis. His first title was the beginning of what would become an extraordinary love affair with Roland Garros.
From 2005 to 2008, Nadal crafted an era of dominance, clinching four consecutive titles in Paris at the expense of Federer. The Spaniard's final victories over his great rival in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were comprehensive, with the lefty dropping just four games against Federer in 2008. It was a performance that left the tennis world in awe and solidified his moniker: the 'King of Clay’.
“He plays like two forehands from the baseline because he has an open stance on both sides," said Federer after he suffered the heaviest Grand Slam defeat of his career at the time. "So he's got a huge advantage, and he's so tough mentally too."
Photo Credit: Getty Images
The year 2009 brought a rare twist in Nadal’s Roland Garros narrative. Against all odds, he was defeated by Swede Robin Soderling in the fourth round. It was the first time Nadal had lost on the terre battue of Roland Garros, with Soderling crushing the ball off both wings to earn a four-set victory. Nadal's cloak of invincibility at Roland Garros had been dragged off. For many, it was a shock, but for Nadal, it was a catalyst.
The following year, he returned with a vengeance, reclaiming his throne and starting another streak of dominance. His victory in 2010, when he beat Soderling in the final to gain revenge, began a five-year title run, during which he adapted his game to fend off emerging rivals and manage his own physical limitations. His 2012 four-set triumph over Djokovic was particularly poignant, breaking Bjorn Borg’s record with his seventh title.
Nadal faced new challenges in the mid-2010s as injuries and fierce competition tested his reign. Yet, in 2017, he made history again with "La Décima"—his 10th crown at the major. After crushing Stan Wawrinka in straight sets, the Spaniard produced his iconic celebration, dropping to the clay before rising and soaking in the applause of the Philippe Chatrier crowd.
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The story didn’t end there. Nadal continued to weave his magic on the clay, adding titles in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Each victory was a chapter in his epic, with the 2020 final against Djokovic standing out as a masterclass in clay-court tennis. Without dropping a set, Nadal showcased his enduring dominance by winning the trophy in October after Covid-19 had resulted in the suspension of the event in May.
In 2022, Nadal’s legacy was further etched into the annals of Roland Garros history with his 14th and final title at the major. Nadal dispatched Norway's Casper Ruud for the loss of just six games, reminding everyone once again why Roland Garros is often referred to as Nadal’s backyard.
Nadal finished his career holding a 112-4 record at the event. In all 14 finals, he was never taken to five sets, with Federer describing his record at the major as 'one of the greatest achievements in sport.'
Wimbledon – Champion 2008, 2010; Win/Loss 58-12 Just as he had done in 2006 and 2007, Nadal arrived at Wimbledon in 2008 off the back of a victory against Roger Federer on clay in the Roland Garros final. In the two years prior to 2008, the Spaniard had gone on to lose against his Swiss rival in the title match at SW19. However, the signs were in place that Nadal was closer to cracking Federer on the Wimbledon lawns, having lost in five sets in 2007.The culmination of Nadal’s efforts came in 2008. Entering the final, Nadal had dropped just one set across his six matches and he started fast in the championship match. The Spaniard moved into a two-set lead and looked set to break his Wimbledon duck before Federer fought back to level. With darkness falling in London, Nadal found an extra gear, dropping to his back after sealing victory in what many regard as the greatest match of all time.
Nadal’s four-hour, 48-minute victory, ending at 9:15 p.m. local time, ended Federer’s five-year winning streak at Wimbledon and marked Nadal’s first major title away from Roland Garros. It was the first time since Bjorn Borg in 1980 that a player had clinched the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double.
"[I'm] just very happy because I played with a very positive attitude all the time," said Nadal at the time. “[To] win here is unbelievable for me."
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Nadal’s second Wimbledon title came in 2010, when he defeated Tomas Berdych in the final with a commanding performance, showcasing his adaptability and tactical intelligence. His ability to adjust his game for grass courts—emphasising flatter groundstrokes and more aggressive net play — had been consolidated by his 2010 triumph.
The Spaniard faced more challenges at Wimbledon than any other major, though. He suffered shock early defeats to Lukas Rosol (2012), Steve Darcis (2013) and Dustin Brown (2015), while he lost before the quarter-final stage in seven of his 15 appearances. He enjoyed semi-final runs on the London lawns in 2018, 2019 and 2022. In 2018, he faced Djokovic in a mammoth semi-final that spanned two days, ultimately losing in five sets. In 2019 he suffered another defeat to Federer in the pair’s first meeting at the tournament since 2008.
US Open – Champion 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019; Win/Loss 67-12
Nadal made his debut at the US Open in 2003, stepping onto the courts of New York as a 17-year-old with immense promise. Though his first appearance ended in a second-round exit, it was clear that Nadal had the potential to become a force on hard courts. His aggressive baseline play and never-say-die attitude resonated with the New York crowd, which would come to cherish his tenacity and passion.
The real breakthrough for Nadal in 'The Big Apple' came in 2010. Already a winner of multiple majors on clay and grass, he arrived in New York determined to conquer the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. That year, he added a revamped serve to his game, making him more formidable as he clinched Slams at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. In New York, Nadal did not lose a set en route to the final and he capped it off with a four-set victory over Djokovic, securing his first US Open title and completing the career Grand Slam.
“I’m still 24. For me, it's a dream to have the career Grand Slam, but this is more a dream to have the US Open,” Nadal said. “[It’s an] unbelievable feeling because I worked a lot all my life, in all difficult moments to be here, but I never imagined to have the four Grand Slams.”
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Nadal's relationship with the US Open was mixed. In 2011, he reached the final again but was outplayed by Djokovic in a high-quality four-set match. The following year, injuries forced him to miss the tournament, a stark reminder of the physical demands of his relentless style of play. These setbacks, however, only fuelled Nadal's determination to return stronger.
The 2013 season was a year of resurgence for Nadal. After a period plagued by knee issues, he came back with renewed vigour. His path to the title saw him defeat Djokovic in another memorable final, acting as the catalyst for his return to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings that October.
After losing in the third round in 2015 and the fourth round in 2016, Nadal would go on to win the title again in 2017, when he defeated South African Kevin Anderson in the title match. Perhaps the most dramatic chapter in Nadal’s US Open saga came in 2019 and the man on the other side of the net was Daniil Medvedev, the opponent the Spaniard would go on to down in Melbourne two and a half years later. In a gripping five-set final, Nadal showcased everything that makes him a legend: endurance, tactical prowess, and an indomitable spirit. After nearly five hours of battle, Nadal emerged victorious, collapsing in tears of joy and exhaustion.
A four-time champion in New York, Nadal has the joint-second-most titles, alongside John McEnroe, at Flushing Meadows in the Open Era. Only Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors and Federer (five) have bettered him.
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To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal's historic career at this week's Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.
Rafael Nadal’s career was defined by an almost unrivalled ability to keep on winning.
The Spaniard rarely endured slow periods across his 24 years as a pro. From the moment Nadal lifted his maiden ATP Tour crown as a slight 18-year-old in Sopot in 2004, his title-winning expectations at every tournament were clear to all who watched him compete.
Nadal’s tenacity and unwillingness to stop working contributed to him putting together some of the most outstanding seasons in the history of tennis. Here, ATPTour.com reflects on seven of the legendary Spaniard’s most prolific years on Tour.
[ATP APP] 2005
Win-Loss Record: 79-10 (88.8%)
Tour-level Titles: 11
Grand Slam Titles: 1
Even by the high standards he would go on to set, Nadal’s second full season on the ATP Tour was something special. The teenage Spaniard announced himself at the top of the game with what would prove to be the most prolific trophy-winning year of his career. He added 11 tour-level crowns to his maiden title that he had won in Sopot the previous year, rising from outside the Top 50 to No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings in the process.
Nadal won the first eight of his trophies that year on clay, at this stage clearly still his preferred surface. For the first time, he won the ATP Masters 1000 events in Monte-Carlo and Rome, as well as the ATP 500 in Barcelona, all tournaments he would go on to dominate across the next two decades. At Roland Garros, he dropped just three sets across seven matches and beat World No. 1 Roger Federer en route to becoming the fifth youngest major men’s singles champion in the Open Era. He was 19 years and two days old.
There was little question of Nadal operating only as a clay-court threat, however. He pushed Federer to five sets in the Miami final in March before ending his year by winning his first Masters 1000 crowns on hard courts in Montreal and Madrid, respectively, either side of a title run in Beijing.
“I think this year is almost impossible to repeat,” said Nadal after his October win in Madrid before he ended his season early due to injury. “I'm going to start next year in high spirits, but without pressure because this has been an incredible year, a year to remember, to keep at home like a picture you hang on the wall. Next year, I'll try my best, knowing and being conscious that I cannot repeat this.”
Nadal in action during his title run at the 2005 Mutua Madrid Open. Photo Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images
2008
Win-Loss Record: 82-11 (88.2%)
Tour-level Titles: 8
Grand Slam Titles: 2
By 2008, Nadal had established himself as the undisputed dominant force on clay. After winning Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Hamburg and Roland Garros (the latter for the fourth consecutive time) across April, May and June of that year, the Spaniard had won 22 of his 27 tour-level titles on the surface. Yet his constant development on hard and, perhaps most notably, grass, was about to elevate his career to the next level.
Nadal reached back-to-back Wimbledon finals in 2006 and 2007, but grass-master Federer proved too strong on both occasions. In 2008, perhaps buoyed by lifting his maiden ATP Tour trophy on grass at The Queen’s Club just three weeks earlier, Nadal found a way past the Swiss at SW19 to clinch his first major title outside Roland Garros in the most dramatic way.
The 22-year-old prevailed 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-7(8), 9-7 in an all-time classic final to end Federer's 65-match winning streak on grass. Nadal’s multi-Slam breakthrough simultaneously took him to the brink of another significant milestone. On 18 August, he leapfrogged Federer to become World No. 1 for the first time. In doing so, he snapped Federer’s record 237-week streak atop tennis’ mountain.
Nadal’s already-stellar year was not done. Despite a final loss to emerging rival Novak Djokovic in the Cincinnati final, he quickly gained revenge by beating the Serbian en route to the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. He also became a Davis Cup champion with Spain, despite missing the final against Argentina due to a knee injury, and went on to finish as ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF for the first time.
Roger Federer congratulates Nadal after the Spaniard prevailed in an epic 2008 Wimbledon final. Photo Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images
2010
Win-Loss Record: 71-10 (87.7%)
Tour-level Titles: 7
Grand Slam Titles: 3
Nadal forged his Australian Open breakthrough in 2009, when he again defeated Federer in five sets to win his maiden title in Melbourne. That hard-court milestone paved the way for 2010, the best Grand Slam season of the Spaniard’s career. Nadal triumphed at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and, for the first time, at the US Open to finish the year with a 25-1 record at the majors en route to securing year-end No. 1 for the second time.
Having suffered a shock Roland Garros defeat to Robin Soderling in 2009, the Spaniard dispatched any suggestions of a permanent end to his dominance at the clay-court major in style when he charged to his fifth title on the Paris clay without dropping a set. He avenged the Soderling defeat from the previous year by beating the Swede in the championship match, completing a perfect 22-0 European clay season in the process.
After downing Soderling, home favourite Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych in the final three matches of his Wimbledon title run, Nadal capped a stunning summer by completing a Grand Slam hat-trick at the US Open. He did not drop a set en route to the final in New York, where he downed Djokovic in four sets to complete the career Grand Slam of winning all four major titles.
“For me, it's a dream have the career Grand Slam,” said Nadal, who became the seventh man in history to achieve the feat. “[It is an] unbelievable feeling, because I worked a lot all my life, in all difficult moments to be here, but I never imagined having the four Grand Slams.”
Nadal after his maiden US Open triumph in 2010. Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
2013
Win-Loss Record: 75-7 (91.46%)
Tour-level Titles: 10
Grand Slam Titles: 2
Nadal’s career was full of impressive returns to action after injury, but perhaps none can compare to the way he responded after missing the entire second half of the 2012 season.
The Spaniard reached the final in his first tournament for eight months in Vina del Mar, Chile, in February 2013. From there he won 10 of his next 12 tournaments to compile one of the greatest comeback seasons in tennis history. He beat World No. 1 Djokovic in five sets in the Roland Garros semi-finals before easing past David Ferrer for the title, and beat Djokovic in the US Open final to earn his 13th major crown.
Despite falling just short of clinching his first Nitto ATP Finals title after losing to Djokovic in the final, Nadal could reflect on a 75-7 record for the year that also included five ATP Masters 1000 title runs.
“I never thought something like this could happen,” said Nadal after his US Open triumph. “I was so excited to be back on Tour, trying to be competitive, but never thought about competing for all that I competed for this year. All the Masters 1000s, two Grand Slams. So it is just more than a dream for me, and I'm very happy for everything.”
Nadal falls to the court with joy after defeating Novak Djokovic to win the 2013 US Open. Photo Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images
2017
Win-Loss Record: 68-12 (85%)
Tour-level Titles: 6
Grand Slam Titles: 2
After two relatively quiet years by his standards, partly due to injury struggles, Nadal again demonstrated his ability to return from adversity with a stellar 2017 season. By now into his 30s, the Spaniard lost his first three finals of the year at the Australian Open, in Acapulco and Miami, but bounced back from those disappointments to claim six tour-level trophies.
Those titles included one at Roland Garros, where Nadal became the first player in the Open Era to win 10 single's crowns at the same Grand Slam event. He dropped just 35 games across seven matches on the Paris clay, where he overwhelmed Stan Wawrinka in the championship match. Nadal made it two major titles for the year at the US Open, before he joined forces with his great rival Federer to help Team Europe win at the inaugural Laver Cup.
The Spaniard then fell to Federer for the fourth time in four Lexus ATP Head2Head clashes between the pair that year in the Shanghai final, and injury later forced him to withdraw from the Nitto ATP Finals. Yet Nadal's season had otherwise been so strong that he finished the year as ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF for the first time since 2013.
Roger Federer and Nadal in doubles action at the 2017 Laver Cup in Prague. Photo Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup
2019
Win-Loss Record: 58-7 (89%)
Tour-level Titles: 4
Grand Slam Titles: 2
Nadal competed at only nine tour-level tournaments in 2018 due to injury, although he still won five of them as he continued to showcase his quality whenever his body allowed. Heading into the 2019 Australian Open, the Spaniard had not player a competitive match for four months, but he nonetheless reeled off six straight-sets victories before falling to World No. 1 Djokovic in the championship match.
In a rare occurrence for Nadal, he then lost three straight semi-finals on clay in Barcelona, Monte-Carlo and Madrid, respectively. Were the injuries finally catching up with the ‘King of Clay’?
Nadal swiftly put any such suggestions to bed with a pair of typically dominant title runs. He defeated Djokovic in the Rome final, before seeing off Federer and established clay threat Dominic Thiem to clinch his record-extending 12th crown at Roland Garros.
Later that summer there was another high-class demonstration of Nadal’s staying power. He breezed past Daniil Medvedev in Montreal to defend his Omnium Banque National présenté par Rogers crown, before edging the same opponent in five sets to win the US Open. The Spaniard went on to be crowned as the ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF for the fifth and final time in his career, and he celebrated by winning all five singles matches he played to help Spain triumph at the 2019 Davis Cup Finals.
Nadal lifts La Coupe des Mousquetaires for the 12th time at 2019 Roland Garros. Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
2022
Win-Loss Record: 39-8 (83%)
Tour-level Titles: 4
Grand Slam Titles: 2
Another long-term injury layoff, followed by another immediate return to the winner’s circle on one of tennis' biggest stages. That was the story for Nadal after he returned for the 2022 Australian swing after a six-month absence due to a foot injury. Having already made a title-winning start to his year by winning an ATP 250 in Melbourne (ensuring he had won an ATP Tour title in a record 19 consecutive seasons), the Spaniard then pulled off arguably one of the most unexpected Grand Slam runs of his career by battling his way to his second Australian Open crown.
Nadal rallied from two sets down to Medvedev in the championship match to secure a then-record 21st Grand Slam men’s singles trophy, and the 35-year-old's stunning comeback did not stop after Melbourne. After winning in Acapulco and then reaching the final in Indian Wells, he had won a personal-best 20 straight matches to start his season. Taylor Fritz snapped that streak in the championship match in Tennis Paradise, after which it was revealed that the Spaniard had been playing with a broken rib.
Once again, Nadal showcased his desire to continue competing at the top level in spite of injury misfortune. He returned midway through the European clay season and, despite winning just three matches across Madrid and Rome, promptly raced to his record 14th Roland Garros title for the loss of just three sets.
Nadal was still on track for the Calendar Grand Slam at Wimbledon, before an abdominal tear forced him to withdraw prior to the semi-finals. He competed in just four more tournaments that season, but the lefty could nonetheless reflect on one of the most productive six-month periods of his illustrious career.
Nadal celebrates after clinching the title at the 2022 Australian Open. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
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