Rafael Nadal celebrates 800th straight top-20 weeks

Rafael Nadal secured a notable ranking record on Monday, becoming the third player since 1973 with 800 consecutive weeks in the top-20 after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer!

The 34-year-old Spaniard had found himself in the top-20 for the first time in April 2005 following the Miami final that he lost to Roger Federer in epic five sets. An 18-year-old shifted that momentum to his beloved clay, winning titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome before lifting the first Major trophy at Roland Garros, a couple of days after turning 19.

Following that early success in his teenage years, Rafa has never left the top-20 group, overpowering all the challenges with injuries in 2015 and 2016 and returning to the top in 2017. Nadal had lost the ATP throne following the Australian Open quarter-final loss, playing well after that to win two ATP titles in Acapulco and Roland Garros to wrap up another season in the top-2.

In Paris, Rafa secured the 20th Major crown after a dominant display and seven straight-sets victories, extending his impressive run on the slowest surface and saving the season that saw him playing only a couple of tournaments in the reduced season.

Nadal needs 14 more months in the top-20 to pass Jimmy Connors, with Roger Federer standing 206 weeks in front of him at the top.