Rafael Nadal’s records which will perhaps never be beaten, n°5: 23 career victories against world n°1s – Open 6ème Sens

Over the past few years, several all-time greats have called time on their professional tennis careers, and we’ve given them a statistical farewell, counting down some of their most incredible records that may never be broken. We’ve done it for Serena Williams, Roger Federer and more recently Andy Murray.

And now it’s Rafael Nadal‘s turn.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 will play the final event of his career, the Davis Cup Final, next week, and over the next five days leading up to it, we’ll be showcasing five of his records, including one day – this may never be broken.

Starting the countdown is a major feat.

23 career victories against world No. 1s

Many already knew he would be something special, but on March 28, 2004, 17-year-old Nadal truly rose to prominence with a stunning 6-3, 6-3 score against then-No. . 1 Roger Federer in Miami.

And this would not be an isolated case either, far, far from it.

Nadal would eventually accumulate a career-record 23 wins against world No. 1s during his career, which is not only the most in the history of the ATP rankings, but the most in the ATP. or WTA ranking history.

The ATP rankings began in 1973, while the WTA rankings began in 1975.

GREATEST CAREER WINS OVER NO. 1s (ATP or WTA ranking history):
23: Rafael Nadal
19 : Boris Becker
18 : Martina Navratilova
17: Serena Williams
16: Novak Djokovic