World no. 2 and the 13-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal finished second in the L'Equipe award for the world's most outstanding male athlete, way behind Lewis Hamilton.
The Spaniard finishes the season inside the top-2 for the record-breaking 12th time, winning two ATP titles in 2020 and catching Roger Federer in the GOAT race. Losing the ATP throne to Novak Djokovic in Melbourne, Rafa bounced back with the 85th ATP title in Acapulco and spent the next six and a half months at home, skipping Cincinnati and the US Open.
The Spaniard made a return in Rome, losing in the quarter-final and fixing that at Roland Garros where he produced his A-game to go all the way. The king of clay won all seven matches in straight sets, lifting the 20th Major title and the 13th in Paris at 34, suffering two losses at his beloved Major from 102 encounters!
Nadal defeated Djokovic in the title match following a dominant display, dropping only seven games and sealing the deal in two hours and 41 minutes.
By the end of the season, Nadal lost in the semi-final at the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals, serving for the victory against Daniil Medvedev in London but finishing on the losing side. Rafa is already on the practice court ahead of the Melbourne trip that should come around January 12.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
