Rafael Nadal counts to 816 top-10 weeks to catch Jimmy Connors

Rafael Nadal cracked the top-10 in April 25 following the first Barcelona Open title, still at 18. Sixteen years later, the Spaniard is still ranked in the exclusive group, despite setbacks and injuries.

Rafa has never left the top-10 once he entered it, celebrating 800 consecutive weeks in the elite company in January and setting the record that will take some beating in the future. This Monday, Rafa became the third player with 816 top-10 weeks, joining Jimmy Connors in the second place and trailing only to Roger Federer, who is still way in front.

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The 16-year-old Nadal was ranked just outside the top-200 at the beginning of 2003, earning 19 Challenger wins early in the season and four in Monte Carlo and Hamburg at the Masters 1000 level. The Spaniard cracked the top-50 by August, with no further progress in the following 16 months or so after struggling with injuries in 2004.

Nadal proved his greatness in 2005, conquering two smaller titles on clay before reaching the final at the Miami Open. Rafa lost that one to Roger Federer after standing two points away from the finish line, fixing that in Monte Carlo, where he won the first Masters 1000 title. Eager for more, Nadal defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the Barcelona Open final and entered the top-10 as the eighth-youngest player since 1973, never leaving that group again.

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In his most troubled seasons in 2015 and 2016, Rafa couldn't fight for Major titles after numerous injuries, doing enough to remain in the top-10 and extend his outstanding streak. Returning at his best in 2017, Rafa has been ranked in the top-3 ever since, winning the 20th Major crown last October and extending his legacy.