Almost nine years to the day since he first became No. 1, Spain’s Rafael Nadal today returned to the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings for his fourth stint at the pinnacle of men’s professional tennis. Nadal, who has already spent 141 total weeks at No. 1, replaces Great Britain’s Andy Murray, who had held the top spot for 41 weeks since 7 November 2016. Nadal, who first ascended to No. 1 on 18 August 2008 at the age of 22, last held top spot three years and 45 days ago on 6 July 2014. The Spaniard will now look to stay ahead of his great Swiss rival Roger Federer and finish atop the year-end Emirates ATP Rankings for the...
He was 15 years old, but already had the trademark spirit that brought him all the way to the World No. 1 position where he stands today. It was a Monday, the 17th of September in 2001. The clay of the Real Club de Tenis Betis was burning early in the morning. An unranked youngster, who was already touted to carry an enormous potential, was about to debut at an ATP Challenger Tour event, in search of his first point in the Emirates ATP Rankings. His name was Rafael Nadal. "Who’s your opponent?" "A wildcard… Rafael Nadal." "Oh! That guy plays well, but he’s really young." This conversation is remembered by Israel Matos Gil, Rafa’s opponent in the first round,...
After his 2016 season, few predicted that Rafael Nadal would be returning to No. 1 on 21 August 2017. The Spanish star had to end his 2016 season early because of a nagging left wrist injury, yet here he is, back at the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings. Spanish tennis legends, as well as current players from Spain, talked with ATPWorldTour.com about Nadal's ascension to the top. Read more stories in our Rafa Returns To No. 1 tribute... Rafael Nadal: The Humble Champion Coach Roig: 'Rafa Has Been Through A Lot' The Day Nadal Won His First Emirates ATP Rankings Point Manolo Santana “Rafa is a fighter, a warrior, and has always managed to show his best level after...
A tennis champion is one who doesn’t just win matches, collects trophies or plays in an aesthetically pleasing way, but in the eyes of fans globally embodies professionalism, commitment and sportsmanship on and off the court. In an era when superlatives are thrown around, when players are categorised and all-time lists are compiled, there are those gilded few, in living memory, from Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who are lionised. Not just for who they are, but what they represent. Nadal has sat on a pedestal, living in the spotlight for much of the past 17 years – from the tennis prodigy who practised three times a week from the age of 14 with...
ATP World Tour stars, including Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios, reflect on Rafael Nadal returning to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings on 21 August 2017.