19-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal is used to receiving flattering comments given the records he has set on the court, but even he would be taken back by the latest one.
The achievements of the world No.1 has been hailed by former player and Eurosport pundit Alex Corretja. A former world No.2 who is best known for reaching the final of the French Open twice. Following Spain’s triumph in the Davis Cup, Corretja said he believes the king of clay is the best athlete of all time in Spain. Nadal played in eight matches during the Davis Cup finals with five of those being in the singles competition. Overall, he dropped only one set in his doubles match against Russia. It was his win over Denis Shapovalov that clinched Spain their first title since 2011.
“For me he is the best athlete in the history of Spain and I would begin to place him as one of the best worldwide.” Corretja told Eurosport.es.
“For all that Rafa entails, for all that he gets, for how he manages it, I think that as there are few (who does it like him).”
“It’s not because we are Spanish that we emphasize him because everywhere he goes, everybody does it. He is a machine, he will continue fighting until the end, giving his best and I wish he lasts a long time because it’s impossible to see someone like him again.” He added.
Nadal has already established himself as his country’s most successful tennis player of all-time. He has won 84 titles on the men’s tour so far in his career with 19 at those occurring at major tournaments. One adrift from Roger Federer’s all-time record. On Monday he became the sixth male tennis player in history to reach 200 weeks as world No.1. Only two other Spanish men have been world No.1 since the ranking system was introduced. Juan Carlos Ferrero held the spot for eight weeks in 2003 and Carlos Moya for two weeks in 1999.
Branding the 13-time French Open winner as Spain’s greatest ever athlete is of course subjective. Especially for a country that boasts some of the world’s most successful football teams. Although Nadal is undoubtedly an influential figure. One study of the 2016 Spanish Olympic team concluded that he was the most popular athlete. The findings were based on internet popularity and social media presence.
33-year-old Nadal has become the oldest player in the Open Era to finish the season at the top of the ATP rankings. This fifth time he has done so in his career. This year he has won four titles, including two grand slam trophies at the French Open and the US Open. Overall, he has won 58 out of 65 matches played and reached the semifinals or better in 11 out of 13 tournaments.
“I said during the whole time No. 1 was not the main goal for me,” Nadal told reporters at the ATP Finals in London.
“I was not following the No.1 (ranking). I’m doing my normal calendar because you have to make decisions to try to play as long as possible or to try to fight for No. 1.”
“My decision or our (my team) decision was to try to do things to play as long as possible, so that’s why I tried to do the conservative calendar in terms of saving the body and everything.”
Nadal will return to action next month at the The Mubadala World Tennis Championship. A three-day exhibition event that will get underway on December 19th.
