Rafael Nadal registers new benchmark in the List of longest Top-10 streaks in ATP rankings
Follow Us
Rafael Nadal - FirstSportz
World No 2 Rafael Nadal has been one of the greatest players of all time. He has inspired millions with his hard work, determination, and fighting spirit to win each possible point. His list of accolades and achievements stands unmatched and needs no introduction. The former World No 1 added another achievement by maintaining his position in the Top 10 for 900 consecutive weeks.
It had been a fantastic year for the Mallorcan as he clinched two Grand Slams in the year. The 36-year-old was on the verge of achieving a calendar slam but his abdominal injury during Wimbledon hampered his momentum. He couldn’t hold his dominance during the US Open and got eliminated in the fourth round. Rafael Nadal lost four of his last five matches and was hoping for a title finish at the Year-end Championship but that remains unfilled.
He has won the most number of Grand Slam singles titles, the most by a player in the Open Era with his tally of 22. Nadal broke into the Top 10 for the first time as an 18-year-old in the year 2005. Since then, he has managed to hold his dominance for consecutive 900 weeks. The 14-time French Open champion became the first player in ATP history to achieve this incredible feat.
It is quite astonishing to note that the first-ever YouTube video had been uploaded 2 days before Rafa’s Top 10 streak began. While the 22-time Grand Slam winner topped the list, former legend Jimmy Connors stands second with 788 consecutive weeks. Roger Federer finds himself 3rd with 734 weeks whereas Novak Djokovic is currently 6th with 555 weeks.
Rafael Nadal won the Fans’ Favorite Award at the 2022 ATP Awards
Despite failing to win a title at ATP Finals, he ended the year on a winning note. He defeated the young Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final match of the round-robin stage. He became the oldest player in the history of ATP rankings to in Top-2 at the year-end rankings.
Rafael Nadal’s results saw him get a couple of nominations at the 2022 ATP Awards. The Spaniard has been voted as the Fans’ Favorite player of the Year. It was for the first time, he clinched the prestigious award in his illustrious career. With the win, the Australian Open champion ended Federer’s winning streak of 19 consecutive titles from 2003 to 2021.
The Spaniard will be looking to defend his title at the 2023 Down Under as he will kickstart the season at the United Cup. Nadal parted ways with fellow compatriot Francisco Roig who had been with him for nearly two decades. Roig had joined his camp back in 2005 and was an integral part of his team alongside his uncle, Toni Nadal. But the 4-time US Open champion wasted no time to find a new coach from his academy in Mallorca.
Stay Updated!
Prateek Pradhan
(601 Articles Published)