Share

Nadal hails 'best season' and 'incredible era'

New York - Rafael Nadal described the year 2017 as "one of the best of his career" on Sunday after winning a third US Open and 16th Grand Slam. 

AS IT HAPPENED: Kevin Anderson v Rafael Nadal

World number one Nadal defeated South Africa's world number 32 Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in a brutally one-sided final during which he did not face a break point. 

Nadal also claimed an unprecedented 10th French Open in June after finishing runner-up to Roger Federer at the Australian Open. 

"In terms of results, this has been one of the best seasons of my career, of course," Nadal admitted of a year in which he won at least two Slams for the fourth time in his career. 

Had he gotten the better of Gilles Muller at Wimbledon, where he lost the final set of his fourth-round clash 15-13, the year might have been even more memorable. 

"I have been winning titles, playing three finals of Grand Slams, so that's a lot. That's so difficult. The other slam that I was not in the final, I lost the match 15-13 in the fifth to be in the quarterfinals. 

"So was very competitive year for me. And on clay, I won almost every match. Of course is an emotional season because I have been through tough moments in terms of injuries." 

Nadal's win on Sunday was the latest chapter in an epic story of domination by the sport's superstars. 

From Wimbledon in 2003, an incredible 53 of 58 Slams have now been claimed by just five men - Federer (19), Nadal (16), Novak Djokovic (12) and Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka with three apiece. 

Only Andy Roddick, Gaston Gaudio, Marat Safin, Juan Martin del Potro and Marin Cilic have broken the spell. 

"We are  in an era that is not nice to say, because I'm part of it, but we are in an era that some players make incredible things in this sport," said Nadal. 

"It's difficult to win a lot of titles. We should be very happy. Probably even Roger and me and Novak, much more than we ever dreamed." 

To hammer home their enduring appeal and dominance, Federer and Nadal shared the four Slams in 2017 - Federer winning the Australian Open before capturing a record eighth Wimbledon.

Despite his success, catching the 19 majors of Federer is not particularly high on Nadal's list of priorities. 

"I really never thought much about that. I just do my way. He does his way. Let's see when we finish," he said. 

"I have 16. So three is big difference. I really don't think much about these kind of things.

"Well done for Roger that he is having an amazing season, too, and well done for me because I'm having a great season, too. 

"Tennis is not all about the Grand Slams, so there are tournaments to come and I'm excited about this last part of the season." 

It's all a far cry from the end of last year when Nadal was ranked at nine in the world and Federer was 16. 

It was also a 2016 season that saw the injury-hobbled Nadal lose in the first round at the Australian Open, withdraw after two rounds of the French with a wrist problem, skip Wimbledon and exit the US Open in the last 16. 

However, in 2017, Federer and Nadal have won five titles apiece and on Monday they will be back at number one and two in the world for the first time since 2011. 

"I was surprised in January. Now I am not that much surprised," said Nadal. 

"There are things that probably Roger and me share - that is passion for what we are doing, passion for tennis, passion for the competition and the spirit of improvement all the time."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE