Rafael Nadal in 2020: A look at his records and top moments in the year

First Published Dec 22, 2020, 5:55 PM IST

Rafael Nadal has won the joint-most Grand Slam titles, of 20, along with Roger Federer. He also holds the record for winning 13 French Open titles. He is currently ranked second in ATP Rankings, while he also scripted numerous records in 2020.

<p>Diverse top players across the globe have dominated the sport of tennis over the years. However, when the debate for the Greatest of All-Time (GOAT) happens, Spain's Rafael Nadal is one such name that comes to the mind, alongside the Swiss great, Roger Federer.</p>

Diverse top players across the globe have dominated the sport of tennis over the years. However, when the debate for the Greatest of All-Time (GOAT) happens, Spain's Rafael Nadal is one such name that comes to the mind, alongside the Swiss great, Roger Federer.

<p>Speaking of Nadal, he has accomplished a lot over the years. Meanwhile, the year 2020, too, saw records to his name.</p>

Speaking of Nadal, he has accomplished a lot over the years. Meanwhile, the year 2020, too, saw records to his name.

<p>Although most of the year was marred by tournament delays, owing to the current COVID-19 pandemic, it did not stop him from scripting a glorious year. As the year comes to an end, we take a look at some of the records he scripted and the top moments as well.</p>

Although most of the year was marred by tournament delays, owing to the current COVID-19 pandemic, it did not stop him from scripting a glorious year. As the year comes to an end, we take a look at some of the records he scripted and the top moments as well.

<p><strong>Unstoppable at Roland Garros:</strong> The French Open this year was held outside its regular schedule. Meanwhile, prior to the tournament, he suffered an embarrassing loss to Argentina's Diego Schwartzmann at the Rome Masters. Nevertheless, it did not allow him to get demoralised, as he bludgeoned past all his opponents at Roland Garros, including world number one Novak Djokovic, defeating him in straight sets, in the final.</p>

Unstoppable at Roland Garros: The French Open this year was held outside its regular schedule. Meanwhile, prior to the tournament, he suffered an embarrassing loss to Argentina's Diego Schwartzmann at the Rome Masters. Nevertheless, it did not allow him to get demoralised, as he bludgeoned past all his opponents at Roland Garros, including world number one Novak Djokovic, defeating him in straight sets, in the final.

<p><strong>Record Slam titles: </strong>While he already possessed the record of winning the most title at Garros and any Slam, he extended it by winning his 13th title. However, what was even vital that he went on to win his 20th Slam, thus equaling Federer's record of 20, and looks like a firm favourite to go past the Swiss.</p>

Record Slam titles: While he already possessed the record of winning the most title at Garros and any Slam, he extended it by winning his 13th title. However, what was even vital that he went on to win his 20th Slam, thus equaling Federer's record of 20, and looks like a firm favourite to go past the Swiss.

<p><strong>100 at Garros:</strong> No, he did not hit 100 runs, but the win in the final of the French Open happened to be his 100th win at the event, while he has just a couple of loses to his name here. No other player has such a dominant run in any Slam. Furthermore, it was also the fourth occasion of him winning a Slam final in straight sets.</p>

100 at Garros: No, he did not hit 100 runs, but the win in the final of the French Open happened to be his 100th win at the event, while he has just a couple of loses to his name here. No other player has such a dominant run in any Slam. Furthermore, it was also the fourth occasion of him winning a Slam final in straight sets.

<p><strong>1,000 wins:</strong> It was in the following Paris Masters, where Nadal attained another milestone. After he beat fellow Spaniard, Feliciano Lopez, in the opening round of the tournament, he scripted his 1,000th tour-level win. He is just the fourth player in the open era to achieve the same after Jimmy Connors, Federer and Ivan Lendl.</p>

1,000 wins: It was in the following Paris Masters, where Nadal attained another milestone. After he beat fellow Spaniard, Feliciano Lopez, in the opening round of the tournament, he scripted his 1,000th tour-level win. He is just the fourth player in the open era to achieve the same after Jimmy Connors, Federer and Ivan Lendl.

<p><strong>Most top-two finishes: </strong>Nadal managed to finish the year at number two. Consequently, it was the 12th instance of the Spaniard finishing within top-two, and the most by any player.</p>

Most top-two finishes: Nadal managed to finish the year at number two. Consequently, it was the 12th instance of the Spaniard finishing within top-two, and the most by any player.

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