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...
It is a bolt out of the blue to some, but just reward for years of gradual improvements in Kevin Anderson’s eyes. Now the big-serving South African is backing himself like never before. A maiden Grand Slam final may not have fallen his way on the scorecard after a straight-sets dismissal at the hands of Rafael Nadal, but it is a two-week stretch that has laid the foundations for the 31 year old to finish the year with a bang. The long road back from an injury-riddled 2016 and first half of 2017 only makes his run sweeter. While defeat was still fresh, Anderson said once the dust had settled he would look back on his US Open run with...
Sweet 16. Rafael Nadal won a perfect 16 of 16 points at the net in claiming his 16th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open on Sunday. Everywhere you looked, there was a storyline, but his superiority in finishing points at the front of the court shone bright on the big stage. Nadal defeated Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-3, 6-4 in the final, putting a stamp on his recent resurgence back to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. There were six focal points for the Spaniard that highlighted his dominance in the past fortnight in the Big Apple. 1. Tournament Net Points Won 80% (96/120) Nadal finished tied for fourth-best in points won at the net during the tournament and was...
1) Nadal Sends Uncle Toni Out On A Winning Note Having cemented his southpaw grip on the Emirates ATP No. 1 Ranking with his 16th Grand Slam title, Rafael Nadal also extended his lead atop the Emirates Race to London over his great rival Roger Federer. But for all the ticker-tape on-court celebrations, trophy biting and talk of year-end No. 1s, this US Open was also very much about the man in the stands, his coach who has been there every step of the way – Uncle Toni Nadal. Early in the season, Toni announced the US Open would be his last Grand Slam as his nephew’s coach having travelled the globe for the best part of 15 years. His...