Every star has had their start here. Regardless of potential and promise, all players have come through the ATP Challenger Tour as they begin their climb to the upper echelons of the game. For some, the ascent to the top is lightning fast, rapidly progressing through the level en route to the ATP World Tour. Only seven players have lifted a Challenger trophy at the age of 16 and under. It's no surprise that Rafael Nadal belongs to that exclusive club. Exactly 15 years ago, Nadal stepped on the clay courts of the Tennis Club Hugo Simmen in Barletta, Italy, and the future World No. 1 would emerge with his first crown. It was a harbinger of the Spaniard's future,...
LOOK BACK Open Citta Della Disfida (Barletta, Italy): Aljaz Bedene remains undefeated on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2017, having secured back-to-back titles this weekend. The Brit moves to 15-0 for the season in Challenger matches after he navigated through the field in Barletta to oust top seed Gastao Elias 7-6(4), 6-3 and secure a tour-leading third title of the season. Bedene’s third Barletta title (2011 and 2012) is projected to move him back into the Top 70 of the Emirates ATP Rankings. [ALSO LIKE] San Luis Open (San Luis Potosi, Mexico): Fifth seed Andrej Martin returned to the tour following a prolonged absence out with illness to clinch his first Challenger trophy since 2015. Martin defeated the No. 1...