Nadal year to remember

In some cases memory is fragile, fleeting, ephemeral. It is then when it is convenient to remember the reality, because in the case of Raphael Nadal, His end of the 2022 course left a very bitter aftertaste due to the cursed injuries that haunted him throughout his professional career. However, the rest of his year brought many joys, some that he hadn’t even been able to experience in other stretches of his career where physique accompanied him. It’s what he has will of the Balearic Islands, which is indestructible.

And it is that the manacorí has ​​started this season as a real hit, which has earned him the chain 20 wins in a row, or what is the same, his best campaign start ever. That imperial initiation granted him the titles of Melbourne (250), acapulco (500) and, in between, the most special of all, a tournament that has become impossible since he won the title in 2009 in that legendary final where he made Roger Federer cry: the Australian Open. In an incredible final against Daniil Medvedev, He came back from two adverse sets, also defeating an Artificial Intelligence that at that moment gave him minimal chances of success, to break the curse that had deprived him of the title in 2012 (Djokovic), 2014 (injured against Wawrinka), 2017 (Federer) and 2019 (Djokovic again). Australia owed him and, by the way, helped him to do it dissolve the historic tie with the Serbian and the Swiss for the hegemony of the Grand Slams (He also joined Djokovic as the only tennis players in history to have won at least twice each principal). And it wouldn’t be the last…

All this despite the doubts, because injuries have once again slowed down his meteoric progression. Yet. In the Indian Wells final, Taylor Fritz stood in the way of a crippled Nadal with a broken rib. Stop for almost two months, we start again… And the land tour has arrived, that blessed brick dust that has historically been a lifesaver for the Balearics, but not in the best way. Alcaraz, already in mode super saiyan In that period, after having reigned in the Masters 1000 in Miami, he crossed his path in Madrid to then proclaim himself champion. The early elimination in Rome against Shapovalov It didn’t bode well for a happy ending in Paris, but… that’s life. In his private playground, Nadal extended his empire Roland Garros for the fourteenth time and led his legend to the top with 22 Grand Slam titles. It doesn’t matter his last injury at Wimbledon (he didn’t play the semifinal against Kyrgios) and an inactive paternity for which he He came out of pace at the ATP Finals.

“I have no dreams, because I can’t ask for more. In 2022 I had a difficult six months, but also two Grand Slam titles to finish in a high position in the rankings. I can’t complain because, at my age, being successful and competitive means a lot to me.” Nadal explained at his farewell in Turin after beating Ruud, before assessing what next year can bring him: “2023? I’m just trying to have the right preparation, work well and raise the level to be competitive right from the start.” That beginning goes through the contestation of the United Cup of ATP and WTA, Mixed competition by country in which Rafa will form a duo with Paula Badosa, from December 29 to January 8: “My life has changed a bit (because of fatherhood). I have to check everything. I hope to play in the United Cup, that’s the idea, if nothing goes wrong. Whatever happens, Nadal’s 2022 is already eternal.