Not a day like any other: Rafael Nadal replaces Roger Federer

It was the changing of the guard at the top of the ATP world rankings. 18. August 2008 The Spaniard Rafael Nadal became number one in the rankings for the first time. The then 22-year-old took over the lead from the Swiss Roger Federer, who had previously held the throne for 237 weeks in a row.

The rise to world number one was the crowning achievement of an almost perfect summer for Nadal. First, he secured his fourth consecutive French Open title, almost as expected, without losing a single set throughout the entire tournament.

The Wimbledon triumph followed in an unforgettable final against Federer. His first victory at the “All England Championships” was almost more important to Nadal than his success in Paris. The Iberian proved once and for all that he is also one of the very best on grass.

Finally, Nadal became the first and so far only tennis player from Spain to win gold in the men’s singles at the Olympic Games. In the final in Beijing on August 17, he beat the Chilean Fernando Gonzales 6:3, 7:6, (7:2) and 6:3. In the ranking published a day later, Nadal was at the top for the first time. Nadal would end 2008 in first place.