subject: ATP Tour – Rafa Nadal: One step above the rest [print this page] This has been a wonderful year so far for Nadal, as he has managed to not only become the number one in the ATP World Tour, but also win the first US Open title in his career.
Rafael Nadal has become the seventh player to win all four of the biggest and most prestigious tournaments in the world of tennis: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. His name is now written next to Fred Perry, Don Budge, Ron Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi, and Roger Federer, a privilege that very few can accomplish. With just 24 years, the Spanish player is in a position where the sky is the limit, and his dominance in the court doesn't seem to find resistance.
His victory in Flushing Meadows did not only represent his 9th Grand Slam title, but also the completion of a record that until then, only Andre Agassi had been able do: win a gold medal at the Olympic Games, a Davis Cup, and of course, a career Grand Slam. Since he didn't have the chance to be the first one to ever do so, he decided to be the youngest one -24 years and 101 days where good enough to accomplish the record that took Agassi 29 years and 38 days.
And if that wasn't enough, with his title in New York he tied another record: winning Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open consecutively. Rod Laver was the last player to do so back in 1969. And even though he wasn't able to win the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, Nadal will have a another chance to do so next year, which would add up to four consecutive Grand Slam titles, a record that Rod Laver was able to achieve twice, first as an amateur in 1962, and as a professional in 1969.
Despite all the success, Nadal admits that: "I never imagined in my life accomplishing all that I have", and feels "privileged". He also said that being better than Roger Federer is not a goal that he has set up yet in reference to the Swiss' 16 Grand Slam tittles- and that he prefers to go step by step. This mentality in combination with this great game- has brought him to where he stands right now, and changing a way of thinking that has worked out so well just wouldn't make sense.
His absence in Cincinnati had fans wondering if he was in condition to face the only Grand Slam tournament that he was missing. The organization didn't have doubts, as he was seeded number one. On previous editions Nadal had complaint about not being on top of his game, which fortunately for him he was this year, and gave him the confidence to play what he considers to have been "the best game in my life at the US Open, and in the day that I needed it the most", he said in reference to the final against Djokovic.
In this tournament Nadal also unveiled his new weapon to continue pulverizing records: his service, which had a decisive role in this title. Now his next goal is the Masters Cup, so London, you better watch out.
ATP Tour Rafa Nadal: One step above the rest
By: andres@linkspacesa.com
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