Rafael Nadal beats the entire Tour to get voted as the ‘Fans’ Favorite’ at the 2022 ATP Awards
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Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal‘s year continues to get better despite the season officially over. Having won two Grand Slam titles this year, Nadal is currently in the pole position in the race for most Grand Slam titles in the men’s singles. Owing to the massive success, he finished the season as the World No. 2 once again.
He won his 21st major at the 2022 Australian Open which saw him overtake Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the race for the first time. He extended his lead at the 2022 French Open winning his 14th Roland Garros title. While Djokovic won the 2022 Wimbledon to reduce the gap to 1 major, with Federer’s retirement, it’s a two-horse race now.
On the ATP Tour, he won two titles, the 2022 Adelaide Open and then the 2022 Acapulco Open. He came close to adding a third title at the 2022 Indian Wells Masters but his later diagnosed stress rib fracture saw him not being completely fit in the finals as he finished runner-up to Taylor Fritz. Nevertheless, consistent performances saw him rise in rankings and finish second having started the season ranked 6th.
Nadal’s results saw him get a couple of nominations at the 2022 ATP Awards. In the fan’s based voting poll, the Spaniard emerged as the ‘Fans’ Favorite’ player of the Year, winning the award for the first time in his illustrious career. While Nadal won the award in singles, the Australian pair of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis claimed the title of ‘Fans’ Favorite Doubles Duo’.
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Rafael Nadal thanks for their love upon winning the award
Nadal had a rollercoaster season this year. Having made his best-ever start to a season, he suffered back-to-back injury problems that eventually ended his season in an anti-climatic fashion. Bouts with injuries and a troubled pregnancy of his wife demanded the best of him in various aspects but all ended well for him eventually.
Thanking the fans for their love and support for winning the award, Nadal said,” I am super happy to receive the Fans’ Favourite Award [in] 2022. It makes me feel great. I can’t thank you enough everyone for the support not only for this award, but at the same time for all the support that I receive in every single city and event around the world.
“That means everything to me, so I am very [much] looking forward to 2023 to share a lot of positive things again. See you soon!,” said the former World No. 1. Nadal’s victory ends Federer’s streak of winning 19 consecutive titles as ‘Fans’ Favorite’ from 2003 to 2021.
Nadal is scheduled to start his season at the 2023 United Cup which begins in Australia on the 29th of December 2022. In the mixed-gender team event, Nadal will be leading his compatriots as they look to win the inaugural edition of the tournament.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)