Rafael Nadal

[Del Fed]

Rafael Nadal: 'My worst loss of the year, I played really bad'

Rafael Nadal is very disappointed with his loss to Denis Shapovalov by 3-6 6-4 7-6. The Spaniard player was first asked in press conference if he underestimated his opponent: 'No. I am not this kind of person. I respect everybody. Yeah, obviously is a tough loss for me. Is a bad loss. Probably is the worst loss of the year we have, without a doubt, for me. That's like this. He play well. I play really bad. When this kind of thing happen, only thing you can do is wish the opponent the best, all the best.

'Probably my worst loss of the year because I lost against a player with a lower ranking', Nadal added. 'At the same time because of the opportunity I had here to come back to the No. 1. Always tough, but the draw was not that impossible after all the matches that were happening. So was an important mistake for me. That's the real thing, no? Is a bad loss. Just accept that and keep working.'

Is he upset with losing to a 18-year-old? 'Oh, no. That's normal, no? I have been in that situation. If I don't remember back with 18 years old, I win Roland Garros. Is something that I don't know why should happen, when you have 18, to don't hold the nerves. In my opinion, is much more easy when you have 18 than when you have 30. He played well. He has a great potential. I wish him the best. He has everything to become a great player. He played with the right determination in the important moments.'

The third game in the third set that took 26 minutes, 10 deuces, do you think that was maybe a turning point? How did you feel after that game? Do you feel he gained the needed momentum? 'Yeah, it was one more game. Important one obviously. But I still had breakpoints later. Is not the end of the world with 2-1 in the third. I still had breakpoints. 3-Love in the tiebreak. Some more 15-30s. Lot of chances, no? But even like this, even how bad I played, I had a lot of chances. That's the worst thing, no? Playing bad, is the matches that really matters. Really means a lot to win. When you play bad, you have to win these matches. I didn't today. That's why I said is an important mistake for me. Is probably the worst match of the year for me. But that's like this. I have another week in Cincinnati, and then I have a Grand Slam coming. I am not happy now. Tomorrow probably I don't going to practice, but I have time to recover mentally. After tomorrow I going to be practicing in Cincinnati, and that's it.'

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/news ... ally-bad-/

[DUN I LOVE]

To już pewne. Rafa za 7 dni ponownie zasiądzie na tenisowym tronie. Rozpocznie 143. tydzień panowania.

Najwięcej tygodni jako lider rankingu (min. 100):
Stan na dzień 21.08.2017

1. Roger Federer - 302
2. Pete Sampras - 286
3. Ivan Lendl - 270
4. Jimmy Connors - 268
5. Novak Djoković - 223
6. John McEnroe - 170
7. Rafael Nadal - 142
8. Björn Borg - 109
9. Andre Agassi - 101

[Barty]

[DUN I LOVE]

Rafa po raz kolejny postawił stempel na swojej długowieczności. Od objęcia prowadzenia w rankingu po raz pierwszy do odzyskania go w najbliższy poniedziałek mine 9 lat(!). Nikt w historii nie może pochwalić się takim wyczynem. No chyba, że Fed się zepnie na jesień.

[Barty]

Returning To No. 1 'Something Special' For Nadal

Spoiler:

Spaniard will face Richard Gasquet in Cincinnati opener

Injuries, heart-breaking losses and doubts about if he'd ever return to the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings. Rafael Nadal has experienced it all since he last reigned at World No. 1, on 6 June 2014.
But during that time, he has courageously placed distractions to the side and forged ahead with the work of improving his career. On Monday 21 August, he'll receive another reward when he returns to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings.
Nadal and Federer were set to battle for the top Emirates ATP Ranking this week at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. But with Federer's withdrawal because of a back injury on Monday, Nadal is guaranteed to take the top spot in one week.
“Obviously it's bad news for the event that Roger is not playing. For me personally obviously to be back to that position is something special,” Nadal said on Monday during his pre-tournament press conference.
“A lot of things have happened since the last time I was in this spot. Injuries and some tough moments, of course, but I have held the passion and the love for the game, and that's why I have the chance to be back in that position again. So I'm just trying to enjoy the moment and just trying to be ready to compete well here. That's the most important thing for me now.”
Considering the past 12 months for Nadal, his climb to No. 1 must be especially sweet. He ended last season early because of an injury to his left wrist. The final time his fans watched him play in 2016 was a straight-set loss to Serbian Viktor Troicki at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

How would Nadal return in 2017? Would he be able to re-gain his top form? Questions of all kinds were posed at the Spaniard in January. But he has more than answered every question – in the press room and on the court – this season.
Nadal has four titles this year, including his historic “La Décima” at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and Roland Garros. He has reached three other finals, including the Australian Open and the Miami Open presented by Itau, falling to Federer, and the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, when he lost to Sam Querrey of the U.S. Nadal leads the ATP World Tour with seven final appearances.
“I am having a great season,” Nadal said.
But plenty of tournaments remain for the Spaniard, and for Federer, who could re-take No. 1 later this year. “Roger and I are both having a great season. I think both of us are going to have the chance to be in that position until the end of the season. It depends on the results... So let's see. I have an opportunity here to compete well this week and I'm going to try to do it,” Nadal said.

He is the top seed at this week's ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. Nadal has spent 141 weeks at No. 1, and first ascended there nearly nine years ago to the date, on 18 August 2008, at the age of 22.
He will meet Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the second round. The left-hander leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 14-0 and has not lost a set against Gasquet since 2008. “I have been playing great. I think I am practising well, too. I think I am ready to compete,” Nadal said.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/nad ... nnati-2017

[Barty]

Nadal will become the second oldest player since Agassi to hold the number 1 rank. He was last ranked number 1 on June 23, 2014.

[Del Fed]

August 15, 2004: Rafael Nadal wins first ATP title in Sopot

Spoiler:

Ever since he emerged on a professional Tour, Rafael Nadal was pushing the age limits like almost no one before him, entering the Top 100 at the age of 16 back in 2003 and also the Top 500 a few months later. That season, he already won 14 ATP matches and everything was set for an even better year in 2004, and he opened it with a final in Auckland. As we all know, he stunned world number 1 Roger Federer in Miami in 2 easy sets, but he suffered a left ankle injury in Estoril against Richard Gasquet and was forced to miss almost 3 months, coming back in Bastad in July and missing all the big events on clay.

He turned 18 in June and his return was a rather slow, losing in the quarter-final of Bastad and Stuttgart to Gaston Gaudio and David Ferrer, and in the opening round of Toronto and Cincinnati. After that early loss in Ohio, Nadal decided to get back to Europe to his beloved clay, entering a weak ATP 250 event in Sopot.

Facing only 1 player from the Top 100, Rafa beat all 5 rivals in straight sets to lift his maiden ATP crown, as the youngest player since Lleyton Hewitt in Adelaide 1998. His biggest obstacle in terms of ranking was Victor Hanescu in the first round and Rafa won that won 6-4 6-4 in 80 minutes, breaking Romanian 3 times.

Arnaud Di Pasquale fell in the second round and Spaniard was in his 5th quarter-final of the season. Instead of Friday, he faced Franco Squillari on Saturday due to rain, and he broke his rival 4 times for a 6-3 6-4 win. Later that day, former Rome and Barcelona champion Felix Mantilla waited in the semis, and Nadal got that one by 7-5 6-1, taking the close first set and dominating in the rest, creating 14 break chances.

Like that wasn't enough, Nadal also played the doubles semi-final with Alberto Martin, losing in two close sets to Martin Garcia and Sebastian Prieto! Jose Acasuso stood between Nadal and his first ATP title, and young Spaniard celebrated by 6-3 6-4 in an hour and 36 minutes, in what has been a very tight match.

There were 25 break points in total, Nadal fends off 11 out of 12 and he broke Acasuso 3 times from 13 opportunities to clinch the match in straight sets and grab his maiden ATP trophy. The first break occurred in the 8th game of the opener, Nadal moved 5-3 in front and he closed the set with a hold in game 9, which gave him the mental edge.

2 breaks of serve were enough for the Spaniard to claim the set by 6-4 and lift his first ATP title. The teenager didn't have time to celebrate, as had to fly to Athens, where he was set to play the doubles first round match at the Olympics already on Monday!

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/news ... -in-sopot/

[Damian]

[Lucas]

Bardzo ładnie Kyrgios chwali Rafę, fajnie by było, gdyby wziął z Niego przykład.

Tak patrzę na włosy Hiszpana i chyba jest jakiś efekt tego przeszczepu jednak, ale takiej bujnej czupryny jak u Saszy to już chyba nie osiągnie .

[elena]

I wziął, ale zupełnie mnie to nie cieszy bo Australijczyka wyjątkowo nie trawię i nie dlatego, że raz czy dwa zamachnął się na Rafę, ale taki z niego enfant terrible dla ubogich.
Co do włosów( mój ulubiony temat ) to faktycznie widać teraz znaczną poprawę, chociaż dla mnie punktem odniesienia w tej materii będzie raczej czupryna Novaka i Verdasco.

[Barty]

A jest w ATP jakiś enfant terrible dla bogatych?

[elena]

A jest w ATP jakiś enfant terrible dla bogatych?

Touché

[Lucas]

Rafael Nadal: The Humble Champion

Spoiler:

A tennis champion is one who doesn’t just win matches, collects trophies or plays in an aesthetically pleasing way, but in the eyes of fans globally embodies professionalism, commitment and sportsmanship on and off the court. In an era when superlatives are thrown around, when players are categorised and all-time lists are compiled, there are those gilded few, in living memory, from Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who are lionised. Not just for who they are, but what they represent.
Nadal has sat on a pedestal, living in the spotlight for much of the past 17 years – from the tennis prodigy who practised three times a week from the age of 14 with fellow Mallorcan Carlos Moya, to the winner of 73 tour-level crowns on all surfaces today. His every move, match (and injury) is scrutinised.

Today, in privacy, surrounded by his family and friends, Nadal could be forgiven to shed a tear upon his return to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, but the hard-working, humble and passionate Spanish champion won’t allow time for such emotion. He’ll be found on a practice court, wearing down his training partner with match-quality focus, under the gaze of Toni Nadal, Francisco Roig or Moya.
Omnipresent in the Top 10 since 25 April 2005, aged 18, the past 13 seasons have illustrated Nadal’s qualities as a fighter on and off the court. In overcoming elbow, ankle, knee and wrist injuries along the way, Nadal has returned to peak form time and again – striking through the ball with depth and great power, and competing with a clear mind when it comes to the crunch in pressure situations.
Few who witnessed, will ever forget, a crestfallen Nadal walk into a press conference to announce his withdrawal from Roland Garros last year, prior to his third-round match, with strapping on his left wrist. After three years of injuries, had Nadal’s battered body succumbed?
No, there was soon a familiar defiance. In compiling an ATP World Tour best 49-9 match record on the 2017 season, including four titles from seven finals, an injury-free Nadal has made a comeback to peak form. The older you get as a tennis player, the more complex and amazing such a return becomes.
At 31 years of age, Nadal now adds to his 141 weeks at No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, since his last period in top spot ended on 6 July 2014. It is Nadal’s terrific dedication and resilient nature that has ensured today, 21 August 2017, almost nine years to the day since he first attained the top spot, he begins his fourth stint at the summit of men’s professional tennis.
A tennis champion should never be written off. Nadal has been on countless occasions, since he first missed seven months of the 2012/13 season due to a knee injury, but he refused to listen to the critics of his dynamic and physical game. He has always known what is required to be the best, the sacrifices he has needed to make so not to bury any hunger, which, in turn, has allowed his talent to flourish.
While coaches globally may be unable to replicate the characteristics of Nadal’s game in their young charges, they can learn of the Spaniard’s spirit and humility. He is an example of everything that is good about the sport - a superstar player, who continually looks to master his craft in spite of his achievements, untouched by his stardom.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/nad ... 17-tribute

[Lucas]

Nadal Starts Fourth Stint At No. 1 In Emirates ATP Rankings

Spoiler:

Almost nine years to the day since he first became No. 1, Spain’s Rafael Nadal today returned to the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings for his fourth stint at the pinnacle of men’s professional tennis. Nadal, who has already spent 141 total weeks at No. 1, replaces Great Britain’s Andy Murray, who had held the top spot for 41 weeks since 7 November 2016.
Nadal, who first ascended to No. 1 on 18 August 2008 at the age of 22, last held top spot three years and 45 days ago on 6 July 2014. The Spaniard will now look to stay ahead of his great Swiss rival Roger Federer and finish atop the year-end Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time since 2013 and for the fourth time in his career (2008, 2010, 2013).
"Being No. 1 after all the things that I have been going through the last couple of years is something unbelievable, so [it] is, for me, an amazing achievement to be back to that position after [a] few years, three years," said Nadal.
View Latest Emirates ATP Rankings
The 31-year-old Nadal has spent three previous stints at No. 1 – 46 weeks between 18 August 2008 and 5 July 2009, 56 weeks from 7 June 2010 to 3 July 2011 and 39 weeks between 7 October 2013 and 6 July 2014. He holds the record for the longest gap – nine years and three days – between his debut at No. 1 and his return today, which betters the previous mark of American Jimmy Connors, who was first No. 1 on 29 July 1974 and last at No. 1 on 3 July 1983 – a gap of eight years and 339 days.
Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman and President, said, "To regain the No. 1 ranking nine years after having first reached it is unprecedented. Rafa has been setting records throughout his remarkable career and this one is as impressive as any. It shows incredible dedication and longevity, and we congratulate him on this amazing achievement."
The Spanish superstar, who ended the 2016 season early due to a wrist injury, has returned in 2017 playing some of the best tennis of his career. In compiling an ATP World Tour-best 49-9 match record, Nadal has captured four trophies this season, including historic 10th titles at Roland Garros (d. Wawrinka), the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (d. Ramos-Vinolas) and the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (d. Thiem), in addition to a fifth crown at the Mutua Madrid Open (d. Thiem). He has also reached three other finals – the Australian Open (l. to Federer), Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco (l. to Querrey) and the Miami Open presented by Itau (l. to Federer).
On 12 June, Nadal became the first player to qualify for the 2017 season-ending Nitto ATP Finals, to be held at The O2 in London from 12-19 November. It is the 13th straight year that he has qualified for the elite eight-player tournament.
THE NUMBER ONES
A list in chronological order of the 26 players who have ranked No. 1 in the history of the Emirates ATP Rankings (since 1973):
Player Date Reached Age Tot. Weeks
Andy Murray (GBR) 7 November 2016 29 41
Novak Djokovic (SRB) 4 July 2011 24 223
Rafael Nadal (ESP) 18 August 2008 22 142 (as of 21 August 2017)
Roger Federer (SUI) 2 February 2004 22 302
Andy Roddick (USA) 3 November 2003 21 13
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 8 September 2003 23 8
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 19 November 2001 20 80
Gustavo Kuerten (BRA) 4 December 2000 24 43
Marat Safin (RUS) 20 November 2000 20 9
Patrick Rafter (AUS) 26 July 1999 26 1
Yevgeny Kafelnikov (RUS) 3 May 1999 25 6
Carlos Moya (ESP) 15 March 1999 22 2
Marcelo Rios (CHI) 30 March 1998 22 6
Thomas Muster (AUT) 12 February 1996 28 6
Andre Agassi (USA) 10 April 1995 24 101
Pete Sampras (USA) 12 April 1993 21 286
Jim Courier (USA) 10 February 1992 21 58
Boris Becker (GER) 28 January 1991 23 12
Stefan Edberg (SWE) 13 August 1990 24 72
Mats Wilander (SWE) 12 September 1988 24 20
Ivan Lendl (CZE) 28 February 1983 22 270
John McEnroe (USA) 3 March 1980 21 170
Bjorn Borg (SWE) 23 August 1977 21 109
Jimmy Connors (USA) 29 July 1974 21 268
John Newcombe (AUS) 3 June 1974 30 8
Ilie Nastase (ROM) 23 August 1973 27 40

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/nad ... kings-2017

[Lucas]

[Lucas]

The Day Nadal Won His First Emirates ATP Rankings Point

Spoiler:

He was 15 years old, but already had the trademark spirit that brought him all the way to the World No. 1 position where he stands today. It was a Monday, the 17th of September in 2001. The clay of the Real Club de Tenis Betis was burning early in the morning. An unranked youngster, who was already touted to carry an enormous potential, was about to debut at an ATP Challenger Tour event, in search of his first point in the Emirates ATP Rankings. His name was Rafael Nadal.
"Who’s your opponent?"
"A wildcard… Rafael Nadal."
"Oh! That guy plays well, but he’s really young."
This conversation is remembered by Israel Matos Gil, Rafa’s opponent in the first round, a qualifier and No. 751 in the Emirates ATP Rankings back then. Right after the draw ceremony, his fellow players warned him about a danger that he had already seen himself some days before.
Read more stories in our Rafa Returns To No. 1 tribute...
Rafael Nadal: The Humble Champion
Coach Roig: 'Rafa Has Been Through A Lot'
Peers Pay Tribute To Rafa
“I heard that a Spanish player was doing really well for his age. However, I saw him play his first ITF Futures event in Madrid against one of my practice pals, Guillermo Platel. After having many match points, Rafa didn’t get the victory but he didn’t lose his temper on court either,” Israel reflects.
“The next day, when we arrived at the club at eight in the morning, Rafa was already training. It shocked me how a guy who had lost such a tough match the day before could be the first to appear on the practice court. That made me think: I have to follow this guy."
The sport gave Matos Gil the chance to see the magnitude of such a phenomenon the very next week in Seville. Just a game was enough for him to understand that the precocious 15 year old on the other side of the net, who was receiving compliments all the time, had a special talent.
“His demeanor on court was simply incredible. His look, his character. How a kid of his age was able to see the things with that clarity on court. How he was able to behave like an adult, as if he was used to playing those kinds of tournaments for years."
Brave and without signs of fear, he started breaking his opponent’s serve.
“He broke me and immediately celebrated it with his trademark move, lifting his fist and his knee”. That was pure Nadal. Passion and determination together, with victory as its only destiny. There were some dramatic, tense moments. But in those pivotal points he always knew how to play. That was not usual. There were really good guys of his age, but he was a different player.”
6-4, 6-4. The score was decided in Rafa’s favour, giving him his first five points in the Emirates ATP Rankings. “Back then, Rafa didn’t have such an aggressive game, but his movement was excellent. He made you compete for every single ball and didn’t give free points,” describes Matos. “His tennis has evolved into a more offensive version, but at the beginning he was able to win rallies by out-running his opponents. He could chase down 10-12 balls, ready to keep playing until the other player was exhausted.”
The difference was made not only by his game, but also by his stature on the court. “If we talk about his presence on court, he was a 15-year-old guy who behaved like a 20 year old. It seemed that he had much more experience than he really had. I played, I lost and I immediately knew he would do big things”, said his opponent on the Andalusian clay, who vividly remembers the handshake at the net. “I told him I was surprised by his game. I was obviously disappointed but it wasn’t the usual anger. I had just lost against a young player who had a special demeanor on court. I congratulated him as I did with very few people after a defeat.”
Rafa’s run ended in the second round. Italy's Stefano Galvani, crowned champion some days later, saw how the Majorcan was the only player able to get a set from him during that week. “Since a very young age he showed special details in such a demanding sport, where physical, mental, technical and tactical acumen are needed to succeed. Seeing how he dominated the mental side and how he kept his emotions under control was astounding”, added Matos, a privileged witness the day that Rafa won his first Emirates ATP Rankings point.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/nad ... challenger

[Lucas]

Coach Roig: 'Rafa Has Been Through A Lot'

Spoiler:

One of Rafael Nadal's coaches, Francisco Roig, talks to ATPWorldTour.com about the Spaniard’s return to World No. 1
Francisco Roig, one of Rafael Nadal’s coaches since 2005, was next to the Majorcan when the player knew he was going to become World No. 1 again. The Catalan coach, who has been alongside Nadal for the entire US Open Series, thinks that this achievement will be an extra boost for the Spaniard, a reward for his hard work and dedication.
“Being World No. 1 is a consequence of good results,” said Roig to ATPWorldTour.com in Cincinnati. “Since January, Nadal has had a spectacular year. He is very happy and ready to give his best at the US Open. Being No. 1 also means that he is playing great again, winning important matches and especially important tournaments. In some ways, this is the most important goal. Getting back to the top shows how good Rafa is, but also how long and successful his career has been.”
At 31 years old, Nadal has reclaimed the top spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings and the return to the pinnacle of the game has a particularly great significance after two difficult years.
“That’s because Nadal is a very good player”, Roig continued. “When he starts to find his rhythm and feels he can execute what he practises, then he is always competing for the biggest titles. Obviously the rest of the field might not be at their best but this also happened the other way around when Rafa lost the World No. 1 position a few years ago. It has been a long, long journey. And everybody who was beside him during a tough period knew that he would come back to the top. That he would be No. 1 again. That he would fight again for big titles and Grand Slams. If you fight for those titles, you are also fighting for the World No. 1.”
Over the last eight months of the 2017 season, Nadal has won four titles, including his 10th Roland Garros crown, two ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (Monte-Carlo and Madrid) and the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Those trophies, plus good results in other tournaments (Australian Open, Acapulco and Miami finals) have lifted him to the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings once more.
“If we are especially happy, it is because we know that Rafa has been through a lot, that he has worked tremendously hard and also he has suffered a lot,” Roig admitted. “It is not an easy task to be here at age 31 and for sure it will be a confidence boost.
“Rafa now has his top level. He doesn’t have the fears of other seasons. In the past, you could see that the opponent could come out on court knowing that Nadal had lost a few more matches, and that would convince him he could win. But once you start winning more and more matches, it helps your confidence but also helps to intimidate your opponent a little bit. That shows you once more how good he is. Since 2005, he has been nine times in the Top 2, never left the Top 10 and he missed the No. 1 spot only a couple times because of an injury. He is great like Federer or Djokovic in that it will be difficult to see something like this again. Winning so many Slams, Masters 1000s… At the end, a Masters 1000 is way more difficult than a major. And he has 15 Slams!”
Now, with the US Open fast approaching, Nadal will keep the top spot for at least three weeks, although he knows that whatever happens in New York could be decisive for the year-end top position.
“The US Open will set the tone for the No. 1 race,” said Roig. “It’s 2000 points and logically it’s a big bite. If after the US Open they are close, history says that Federer is the favourite in the last part of the season. It won’t be easy, but I see Rafa is capable. The most important thing is that he keeps the desire, the drive and the passion. We are talking about one of the greatest in history.”
Of course, being World No. 1 during the season is not the same as finishing the year in that position. The year-end No. 1 is something that Nadal has already achieved three times (2008, 2010 and 2013), but the goal is to claim it once again.
“It’s always important to finish the year as World No. 1 because it means that you have been the most consistent and regular player from January until November,” Roig added. “That’s the aim: to win the US Open and finish at the top at the end of the season."

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/nad ... -no-1-roig

[DUN I LOVE]

Rafa od dziś ponownie liderem rozgrywek ATP - 142 tygodnie odhaczone, leci 143.

[Lucas]

Former, Current Spanish Stars Reflect On Rafa's Return To No. 1

Spoiler:

After his 2016 season, few predicted that Rafael Nadal would be returning to No. 1 on 21 August 2017. The Spanish star had to end his 2016 season early because of a nagging left wrist injury, yet here he is, back at the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings.
Spanish tennis legends, as well as current players from Spain, talked with ATPWorldTour.com about Nadal's ascension to the top.

Manolo Santana
“Rafa is a fighter, a warrior, and has always managed to show his best level after suffering physical setbacks. During the past few months I’ve seen him in play in Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Paris and London. His ambition and desire to stay at the top keeps surprising me more and more each time. Right now he’s the best player in the world and his [year-end No. 1] contest against Federer is going to be beautiful. I can’t wait to arrive in New York to follow the US Open and, later, see who clinches the year-end No. 1. It’s been a spectacular season and we the tennis lovers are having a ball.”
Alex Corretja
“It is fair to say that Spanish tennis is a force worldwide, but Nadal is its captain. Everybody looks up to Rafa and he’s making Spanish tennis even bigger. I would like to underline a point about Rafa: We should inculcate his values of hard work, humility and passion for tennis to every up-and-coming player. To be like him is going to be impossible, but we can transmit his spirit. Having him back at the top is the best thing that could have happened to our tennis.”
Alberto Berasategui
“Being back at No. 1 is very important for Rafa, but also a big example of effort, personal growth and fight. It means that he has been doing things right. He needed to lift a lot of big titles to be back at the top. Winning Grand Slam crowns also mean the world for him. Every detail counts to earn his place in history, but being No. 1 once again is incredible.”

Jordi Arrese
“For all the values that Rafa echoes, his return to No. 1 is the best for our tennis. Back in December, when you saw him training, one could imagine him regaining the top spot. He was practising with immense passion, and that is pivotal. He deserves it.”
Roberto Bautista Agut
“Rafa is a great example, not just for tennis but for sport in general. He represents the values and principles of fighting spirit, constant improvement and also the desire to keep winning. He truly deserves to be where he is, so congratulations to him and his team.”
Pablo Carreno Busta
“You can expect everything from Rafa because he has proven time after time that he is able to do amazing things. For instance, being injured and coming back to the top of the top. It’s very remarkable. If someone could do this, for sure Rafa was the one.”
Albert Ramos-Vinolas
“It’s amazing, but there is also something clear: After I lost the final in Monte-Carlo against him, I could see him back at the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings. His level was unbelievable. At the end of the year it will be between him and Federer but so far Nadal’s achievements have been amazing.”
David Ferrer
“People buried Rafa and that was a sure mistake. He had injuries and had struggled physically and even in that situation he has been able to stay among the best, having options and fighting to be competitive again. It is normal that great players such as Rafa come back to their best and with that, reach the top.”
Nicolas Almagro
“Being able to regain the No. 1 position is just insane. Another milestone for Rafa, for Spanish tennis but also a great example for the tennis world. If someone dared to have doubts about him, Rafa proves once more that his desire remains intact and his commitment never goes below 100 per cent.”
Marc Lopez
“I always had faith in Rafa. Always. It’s true that reaching the World No. 1 position was not an easy task seeing how good Djokovic or Murray were playing, or Federer this year. But Rafa never stops surprising you. I knew he would try and try again to be back to his best. But his year has been simply amazing so far. It’s insane. I am really happy for him and I know that for him this is very, very special. Rafa’s success is based on hard work and also that capacity of never surrender. He is an example.”
Guillermo García-Lopez
“For the Spanish tennis, to have Rafa there means that our tennis is back at the top. At the summit. Obviously Rafa is La Armada’s face. That puts us again amongst the best and it is a priceless recognition. Personally I think that Rafa has shown again his personal drive, his spirit of sacrifice. It’s a lesson for all of us. For a long time it was very unfair to hear comments about him. ‘He won’t be the one he was’, they said. ‘He won’t be World No. 1 again’. I never thought that.”
Tommy Robredo
“Rafa shows again that you cannot bury someone of his talent and hunger. I think his achievement is something great for our sport, for sport in general. Youngsters can look up to him and they’ll see him at the top again, where he deserves to be, but also they’ll see what it takes to be there. All the sacrifices and effort you have to put into it in order to succeed. Every comeback is spectacular but the older you get the more difficult and amazing it is to succeed. And to see him fighting like that when he has won everything makes it more admirable.”
Pablo Andujar
“Rafa is the perfect example of perseverance and always wanting to get better and improve. He is incomparable. There will be no one like him. Another player in his situation wouldn’t have made it after all the injuries and difficult moments.”
What You Need To Know About Nadal’s No. 1
Weeks at No. 1: This will mark Nadal's first week at No. 1 in 2017, but overall, the Spaniard will be celebrating his 142nd week and 995th day at the top spot. As far as hours, Nadal has enjoyed more than 23,860 hours at No. 1.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/pla ... ugust-2017

[Lucas]

Nadal In Search Of Historic Year End No. 1 Finish

Spoiler:

The plaudits have rung out for Rafael Nadal since his return to the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings on Monday. It is a feat few would have thought possible when seeing Nadal desolate at withdrawing during his Roland Garros campaign last year and ultimately dropping to No. 9 in the standings.
It was from ninth spot that the Spaniard began 2017 and the tenacity, desire and fighting spirit that has been synonymous with Nadal throughout his career has carried him back to the top. Now Nadal is looking to crown his memorable 2017 by finishing as the year-end No. 1, an achievement that would arguably be of even greater significance in the record books.
It is set to be a fight to the finish with his long-time rival, Roger Federer, with the possibility that the battle for No. 1 could be settled at the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals in London, where Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in a winner-take-all championship match last year.

Since the Emirates ATP Rankings began in 1973, only four players (Ivan Lendl, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic) have reclaimed the year-end No. 1 spot after losing it. In a showing of unparalleled perseverance, only Nadal has achieved this on more than one occasion, returning to the top of the year-end rankings in 2010 and 2013. Now, he's looking to do it for a third time in 2017.

To pull off this unprecedented feat on the ATP World Tour, Nadal will have to face down Federer. Going into the US Open, where 2000 points are awarded to the winner, Nadal has a 500-point lead on the Swiss, who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year. The Spaniard is only defending 280 points for the remainder of the season, but Federer, who curtailed his 2016 campaign in July, is defending nothing.
The year-end No. 1 ranking is decided by the results over the course of the season. Nadal has finished the season at No. 1 three times (2008, 2010, 2013), placing him seventh on the all-time list on the ATP World Tour. If he were to achieve it for the fourth time, he would be in joint-fourth position with John McEnroe, Lendl and Djokovic.
Most Year-End No. 1 Finishes
Player
Times
Seasons
Pete Sampras 6 1993-98
Jimmy Connors 5 1974-78
Roger Federer 5 2004-07, 2009
John McEnroe 4 1981-84
Ivan Lendl 4 1985-87, 1989
Novak Djokovic 4 2011-12, 2014-15
Rafael Nadal 3 2008, 2010, 2013
Players will usually say that staying at the top is more difficult than getting there in the first place. Nadal has proven time and time again that he can return to the top of the game. Together with Pete Sampras and Federer, he currently holds one of the most notable statistics in the game: the biggest gap between his first year-end No. 1 finish (2008) and his most recent (2013) - six years. Now Nadal will look to finish as year-end No. 1 10 years after first doing so.
With one Grand Slam, two ATP World Tour Masters 1000s and the Nitto ATP Finals (1500 points for the winner) still to come, it is set up to be compelling viewing for a photo-finish for two of tennis’ greatest rivals as Nadal and Federer both chase down the year-end top spot.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/nad ... r-end-no-1