Rafael Nadal turned up the heat on rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in their domination of the ‘Big Titles’ leaderboard by winning his third US Open trophy – and 16th major overall – last Sunday in New York. In defeating Kevin Anderson to capture the final major of the season, Nadal earned his fourth ‘Big Title’ of 2017, having already won his 10th titles at Roland Garros and the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters as well as his fifth Mutua Madrid Open. The Spaniard now has a combined 46 ‘Big Titles’ — a collection of Grand Slams, Masters 1000 events and Nitto ATP Finals — putting him one behind Novak Djokovic’s 47 and within five of leader Roger Federer, who holds...
After Rafael Nadal's victory over Kevin Anderson at the US Open, fellow players took to social media to send their well wishes to the Spaniard, now a 16-time Grand Slam champion, and to the runner-up, who was appearing in his first major final. Felicitaciones @RafaelNadal! Merecido campeón. — Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) September 10, 2017 @RafaelNadal you are the best Spanish athlete in History!! #16thGrandSlam 🇪🇸 — Fernando Verdasco (@FerVerdasco) September 10, 2017 Grande Rafa — Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) September 11, 2017 Congratulations to @RafaelNadal on winning @usopen. Incredible athlete for all of us to keep getting inspired from. #VamosRafa — Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) September 11, 2017 When the laws of physics don't apply, your name must be Rafa....
It has been a fairytale season for Rafael Nadal, winning his 10th Roland Garros crown, returning to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings and now, on Sunday night in New York, capturing his 16th Grand Slam championship at the US Open. In the eyes of his uncle and coach, Toni Nadal, it is an incredible feat. "When he was 12, 13 or 14, you never think he will get to this level," said Nadal. "I am very happy to see my nephew lift so many trophies, knowing that he has achieved another piece of history. He has won a hard-court tournament for the first time since 2014. We are very happy that he has won another Grand Slam, his...
When Carlos Moya joined Rafael Nadal's team ahead of the 2017 season, he did so with total optimism. "When I joined the team I knew that there was much more to come for Rafa, that if he stayed injury free and continued training with the same motivation, desire and confidence, that the tennis would come," said Moya. "And in any case, we are talking about a legend, so the victories always come sooner or later," added Nadal's coach, himself a former World No. 1. He wasn't mistaken. Three Grand Slam finals later, and with the US Open trophy now in his player's hands, Moya couldn't be more satisfied. [ALSO LIKE] Their relationship and friendship is well documented, with Moya mentoring...
In tennis, the margins between the lines are often razor thin. With players employing more aggressive tactics and pushing the limits of their games, these differences can dictate the outcome of a match. An inch can be critical in determining who wins and who loses. Apparently, no one told Diego Schwartzman. The Argentine is into the quarter-finals at the US Open in what will be his first appearance in the last eight at a Grand Slam. At 5’7”, Schwartzman may be diminutive in stature, but he is proving that his game is just as imposing as his fellow stars on the ATP World Tour. Schwartzman has played the role of giant slayer during the North American hard-court summer, stunning World...