Rafael Nadal and Garbine Muguruza have both won the ITF year-end World Champions award for 2017.
Nadal had a stellar comeback year that saw him reach the Australian Open final, as well as win a tenth Roland Garros title and the US Open, finishing the year as ATP World No.1 at the age of 31. Nadal managed to win Roland Garros without dropping a set, dispatching Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka in the final. It was also the last year that Nadal would work full-time with his uncle Toni. Nadal will work with Carlos Moya whilst Toni manages Nadal’s academy in Mallorca.
Nadal will have to contend with some changes to grand slam events next year, with a shot clock to be introduced. He will also be challenged by a number of stars returning from injury including the likes of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic.
Garbine Muguruza finished the year as the WTA No.2 ranked player. Muguruza won her first Wimbledon title in 2017, adding to her Roland Garros title that she picked up in 2016. Simona Halep finished the year as the WTA No.1 with Serena Williams looking likely to return to tennis having featured on the recent Australian Open entry lists.
Nadal: “I am very happy to receive this award from the ITF and be the 2017 ITF World Champion. 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.”
Muguruza: “Becoming ITF World Champion in such a competitive year is amazing for me and is even more special because Rafa has also been awarded on the men’s side. He is a great role model for all of us, so it is a great moment for tennis in Spain. I knew that putting in the hard work would pay off eventually and it made winning Wimbledon and achieving the No. 1 ranking so special. I’m motivated to take everything I’ve learned this year and apply it to my work next season.”
