Reigning men’s French Open champion Rafael Nadal has lauded WTA No. 2 Garbine Muguruza for achieving consistent results in 2017.
Nadal made a spectacular comeback in 2017 after experiencing a torrid run on the ATP tour due to a troublesome wrist injury that brought a premature end to his campaign in 2016. The Majorcan created history this year by winning his record 10th Roland Garros crown, popularly known as the La Decima in Spanish before capturing his 3rd US Open title at Flushing Meadows in September.
And even though, he was unable to beat his arch-rival Roger Federer all through the season, having lost to the Swiss maestro on all four occasions the duo met, Rafa was still able to thwart Roger’s progress towards the year-end No. 1 ranking before clinching it at the fag-end of the season in Paris. His accomplishments were acknowledged by the ITF on Friday when he alongside countrywoman Garbine Muguruza was named ITF’s World Champion.
Nadal thanked his former coach and uncle Toni Nadal for his unrelenting support and then congratulated Muguruza for having an excellent 2017.
“I am very happy to receive this award from the ITF and be the 2017 ITF World Champion,” Nadal said.
“It is four years since I last finished No 1 on the ATP rankings and this has a special feeling.
“Congrats also to Garbine on her achievement which is great for our country.
“Many thanks to my team and my fans, and a special thank you to my uncle Toni for all these years.”
Nadal overcame the challenge of Federer to be crowned as ATP’s year-end No. 1 for the 4th time in his career.
But a right knee injury ended his 2017 season prematurely as he was forced to pull out of the ATP Finals in London in November.
The left-hander is preparing for next month’s Australian Open – the only Grand Sam where he is a one-time winner. He has won all the other three Majors at least twice – French Open (10 times), Wimbledon (two times) and the US Open (thrice).
The 31-year-old was outclassed by a resurgent Federer in an epic five set thriller this year at Melbourne Park.
