Rafael Nadal has added a new season in the top 20 and brought his count to more than 850 consecutive weeks in the group mentioned as the third player after Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors.
At the start of 2005, the 18-year-old Nadal broke outside the top 50, hampered by injuries the previous season and determined to show his full potential.
After reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, the teenager conquered Costa do Sauipe and Acapulco on his favorite clay in February. Rafa bypassed Indian Wells and mustered his strength for Miami, where he lost a close final to Roger Federer after falling within two points of victory and the Masters 1000 crown.
On April 4, Nadal entered the top 20 for the first time and took advantage of this momentum to conquer Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and Roland-Garros. After winning his first major crown, the youngster becomes Roger Federer’s closest rival, improving his game on all surfaces and placing himself in the top 2.
Nadal never left the top 20 squad after breaking through in April 2005, embracing an incredible streak and becoming the third player since 1973 with 850 consecutive weeks in that company after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.
Nadal has never left the top 10 since late April 2005, overcoming all setbacks with injuries, especially in 2015 and 2016, and remaining competitive for over 15 years. Coming back stronger in 2017, Nadal returned to the top 2 after his first victory at Roland Garros since 2014 and remained there until this year when he had to retire due to injuries and with only 29 ATP games.
Nadal continues to train
Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev reckons that Roger Federer, 41, will have a harder time making a comeback than Rafael Nadal, 35, due to their age difference.
“With Rafa it will be a little easier than with Roger since Rafa has not been away for so long and is five years younger than Roger,” Zverev said. “Roger has already achieved a lot where we said: It is not possible.
That’s why I wouldn’t rule it out. It won’t be easy, but tennis is changing and getting faster. At some point, it’s not easy. There is no bigger Roger fan than me, but I don’t know if it’s easy to make another comeback at almost 41 years after knee surgery, ”he added.
Echoing Zverev’s sentiments, six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker said it was “unrealistic” to think Federer could regain his best form when he returned to the tour.
“With Federer, we all dare not say that he might stop playing, especially since it is unrealistic to think that one can return to the top of the world after such a long break and at this age.” , did he declare.
“I am the last to say that Roger should stop but you have to be realistic”
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