‘Record Breaking Rafael’ Nadal Exits The Game
Tennis icon Rafael Nadal has finally confirmed his retirement following a brilliant 23 years of service that came to an end with the Davis Cup final. The Spaniard is retiring at age 38, one of the all-time greats in the sport and his record of 22 Grand Slams is nothing short of incredible. Rafael Nadal’s Records As Nadal leaves the court, let’s have a glance at some of his extraordinary tennis records, which currently are almost unbreakable. Consecutive Seasons Nadal is the only tennis player to have won at least one Grand Slam title for 10 consecutive seasons from 2005 to 2014. King Of Clay He has been often termed as ‘King of Clay’ who has won double figures at various elite tournament levels such as 14 titles at the French Open, 12 titles at Barcelona Open, 11 titles at Monte Carlo Masters and 10 titles at Italian Open. Masters 1000 Tournaments Nadal is the only player in the history of tennis to have won all three of the clay-court Masters 1000 tournaments, as well as the French Open, during a single season. Youngest Male Player In 2018, Nadal became the youngest male player, at 24 years, three months, and 10 days old, in the whole history of tennis to complete both the career Grand Slam and the career Golden Slam. 10 Or More Titles Nadal is also the first man to win 10 or more titles in a single season before the age of 20, which he did in 2005. As Rafael Nadal says goodbye for the one final time, fans anticipate that his records will probably never be broken. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
The Top 5 ATP Masters 1000 Hard-Court Match Winners
Of all the four majors of tennis, the ATP Masters 1000 is the highest level of tennis that is outside the Grand Slams. The surface to the hard-court event is the hard courts and these tournaments will shape the kind of season the best players are going to have. In a way, it is a battlefield where the talented ones test their skills against the world’s iconic arenas. In terms of pure hard-court dominance, five men stand out as having incredible match win records at these prestigious events. Here’s a look at the five players with the most ATP Masters 1000 hard-court match victories. 5. Andre Agassi – 168 Wins One of the greatest personalities in tennis history is Andre Agassi, and he scored his 168th victory on hard courts, entering the annals of Masters 1000 victory history. Agassi’s playing career spanned an era marked by the appearance of many talented competitors for this sport, and he was always one to be reckoned with, particularly in Masters 1000 tournaments. His first Masters 1000 match victory was recorded at Indian Wells in 1990, while his last was there too, 16 years later, in 2006. Agassi’s finest performance throughout his career happened in the Miami Open tournament. There, he had 59 wins and a perfect win percentage of 85.5%, with Miami being Agassi’s real fortress in his whole career. 4. Andy Murray – 177 Wins Britain’s Andy Murray is one of the finest hard-court players ever, whose defensive abilities are unmatched. He has 177 hard-court Masters 1000 triumphs and ranks fourth on that list. Like Agassi, Murray produced his first win on this level in Cincinnati way back in 2005, then again and again proved to be a persistent grass-court opponent on hard courts during his career. He last featured at the hard-court Masters 1000 level at the 2024 Miami Open after advancing to the third round. Murray’s best play came at the Shanghai Masters. He had 25 wins with an incredible win percentage of 82.1%. His great play on Shanghai’s fast hard courts made him winner of several editions of the title. 3. Rafael Nadal – 210 Wins Although clay courses through his veins, Nadal never did forget about his success on the hard courts. His ATP Masters 1000 titles there stood at 210. Nadal entered Masters 1000 hard court competition at the Madrid Open in 2003 and concluded it first at Indian Wells in 2004. His last appearance was in a hard court Master was at the Paris Masters in 2022. Nadal was at his best at Indian Wells; he has 59 wins with a fantastic win percentage of 84.3%. The only place he is not known as a clay-court specialist is on hard courts. His fighting spirit and adaptability have garnered him huge success on hard courts. 2. Roger Federer – 264 Wins Roger Federer stands in second position on this elite list, with 264 match wins on hard courts within ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. Federer made his Masters 1000 debut at the 1999 Miami Open, where he lost, but he won his maiden Master 1000 on a hard court at the Miami Open, the following year. His latest appearance in a Masters 1000 tournament was in 2019 when he reached the quarterfinal stage in the Shanghai Masters. Elegant and flexible, Federer dominated the Masters 1000 events for two complete decades. The ongoing rivalry of the player with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal only added more glamour to these tournaments, and his unparalleled longevity is reflected in his win count. 1. Novak Djokovic – 267 Wins At the top of that is Novak Djokovic, a man whose dominance of hard courts has never been seen before. With 267 match wins up to his latest titles at the 2024 Shanghai Masters, Djokovic fashioned a record that only continues growing even stronger. Serbian sensation Novak Djokovic made his Cincinnati Open debut in 2005 and earned his initial on hard courts Masters 1000 victories later in the same year at the Paris Masters. Djokovic was brilliant at the Miami Open where he notched a fantastic 86.3% win rate, his best performance at any Masters 1000 event in such terms, and took his record to 51 hard-court wins at Indian Wells. At 37, the Serbian maestro appears to be getting no closer to the slow lane as he demonstrates why he is part and parcel of the pantheon of all-time great players. The ATP Masters 1000 tournaments on hard courts have been defined through the contributions of these five players to the long history of the game in their respective ways. The struggle to become the best on the hard courts may very well be fought out by new faces down the line, however one thing is sure, these five legends will always be at the top. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
US Open 2024: Novak Djokovic Knocked Out Of Third Round By Popyrin
For the first time since 2002, none of the “Big Three” of men’s tennis – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer – claimed a Grand Slam title. Biggest Victory for Popyrin An angry Novak Djokovic failed in his bid to create a record 25th Grand Slam title as he lost to Alexei Popyrin. Australian Popyrin secured the biggest win of his career as he defeated the second-seeded Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the US Open on Friday. Third Time’s the Charm “Third time lucky, I guess,” said Popyrin in his on-court interview, having been beaten by Djokovic at the Australian Open and at Wimbledon earlier in the season. The 24-year-old Australian took full advantage of a stunning collapse from the top-seeded Serb, who has rarely been as sloppy with 14 double faults a record for him in a Grand Slam match. Djokovic labors in wake of Olympic triumph Djokovic, who arrived in New York with a gold medal from Paris, never looked energetic and failed to jump at his opponent throughout the match. The Serbian showed glimpses of his spirit in the third set after going down two sets, but the Australian managed to snap out of it quickly. A beautiful forehand winner finally sealed the deal in the fourth set for Popyrin. This was Djokovic’s earliest U.S Open defeat since 2006. Djokovic later admitted this as an ‘awful’ U.S Open loss. Popyrin Advances to the Next Round With the victory, Popyrin moves into the round of 16, where he will face American Frances Tiafoe. Djokovic’s defeat also guarantees that, for the first time since 2002, one of the so-called “Big Three” of men’s tennis-Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer-will not capture a Grand Slam title this year. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
US Open 2024: Top Five Absentees From The Tournament
A couple of big names sadly had to pull out of the US Open 2024 due to injuries among other issues. Here are the top five pullouts. Rafael Nadal The 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal leads the missing list. Nadal has suffered a plethora of different injuries this season. Nadal was placed on the entry list for the US Open, however he finally decided to pull out of it, citing that he wasn’t able to give the best performance. His absence from the tournament signals recovery time, with plans to return for the Laver Cup. This withdrawal from Nadal will turn out to be a huge loss for the US Open, where he has always been slotted for electric and special night sessions at the courts. Cameron Norrie One more big name who will not feature at the US Open 2024 is British No. 2 Cameron Norrie. The nagging forearm injury that has kept Norrie off the court for weeks just never came right, as he made a gutsy effort to be ready to play in New York but was unable to recover in time to feature there and therefore deprive fans of one of Britain’s top tennis stars. Nick Kyrgios Another player who is not going to feature in this year’s US Open is the flamboyant Nick Kyrgios, whose powerful game has been blighted by niggling knee and wrist injuries that have kept him away from competitive tennis since October 2022. He has managed to play just a single singles match in almost a year, and thus Kyrgios decided not to take part in the US Open to concentrate on a complete recovery. While he is set to play some exhibition matches, he will not be in the main draw at Flushing Meadows. Simona Halep Former world number one Simona Halep has had a really bad year and missing the US Open 2024 just adds to her woes. Due to a knee injury and an earlier suspension this year, Halep has largely been off the courts in what has been a straggly and inconsistent season for the former world number one. Despite briefly coming back to the tour in March, Halep has been bothered by her form and fitness, which eventually forced her out of competitive action. The US Open will miss her drastically, based on the grounds that she is a serially consistent performer in Grand Slams. Marketa Vondrousova Closing out the top five is Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion. Vondrousova has been going through a tough summer as she is plagued by several injuries which have really derailed her season. It all started at the Berlin Championships with a hip injury, and then another misfortune in the form of a hand injury added to the woes. She tried to get back on track at Wimbledon but didn’t succeed, dropping out early without defending her title. Vondrousova has pulled out of the US Open 2024 as a result of this injury as well; her woes continue. Impact for the US Open 2024 These are absences that can change the competitive fabric in 2024, the opportunity for new challengers to emerge into the spotlight. Their absence, of course, is going to be sorely felt throughout the tournament, but this is what makes for such an amazing Grand Slam: the surprise keeps tennis fans around the world screaming from their chairs. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Djokovic Among Tennis Legends Reaching the Height Career Golden Slam
Novak Djokovic scripted history at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Sunday as he added another feather to his cap. The Siberian found and conquered the missing piece in his illustrious tennis career puzzle. Djokovic went on beating Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz by 7-6[3], 7-6[2] in the final of Men’s Singles at the Paris Olympics 2024, achieving Career Golden Slam. This surely is a feat very few have achieved. Here’s a list of the tennis stars who have reached the height of a career golden slam. Steffi Graf In 1988, Steffi Graf became the first player ever to win both a golden slam and the Career Golden Slam—a feat accomplished when one player wins all four Grand Slams and the Olympic gold medal in their career. Only 19 at that time, Graf’s magnificent season was topped off by her unforgettable Wimbledon victory over Martina Navratilova, which proved that she was capable of performing on any surface. Andre Agassi In 1999, Andre Agassi finally won his first French Open title to achieve his Career Golden Slam set. The American took Olympic gold in Atlanta back in 1996. It showed he had battled hard through a frustrating few years of injuries and controversy to make it through, topped off by an amazing comeback win over Andriy Medvedev. Rafael Nadal In 2008, Rafael Nadal made history as he became the first player to join that prestigious club, all while being the youngest male in Open Era history to win a Career Golden Slam, and he did it at the age of 24. His win at the Beijing Olympics gave him Olympic gold to go with his 14 French Open titles, testament to his supremacy on clay but also his all-around ability to shine on other surfaces. Serena Williams Serena Williams is the only one who has managed to attain a Career Golden Slam in singles and doubles. She completed her Golden Slam in singles in 2012, but she had already swept all Grand Slam tournaments as early as 2003. With a final Olympic gold to London, to add to her 23 Grand Slams, her place among the greatest tennis players in history has been quite solidified. Novak Djokovic Novak Djokovic sealed the Career Golden Slam with an Olympic gold at Paris 2024 to add to his record 24 Grand Slam titles. He did this at age 37, defeating the current world champion Carlos Alcaraz. His achievement justifies his position as one of the all-time greats in tennis. These five players, with each of their stories and careers almost like a resume from the heavens themselves, represent the best the game of tennis has to offer. In their dedication and talent, they have set new standards within the game that will be self-inspiring to young generations who seek the Career Golden Slam. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
How Much Did Prize Money Nadal Earn At Nordea Open?
After a strong showing at the Bastad final, Rafael Nadal is clearly on the comeback trail. At the Nordea Open in Bastad, Sweden, Nadal earned €51,400 from his singles run and an additional €9,600 from reaching the doubles semifinals, totaling €61,000 in prize money. Singles Journey This was Nadal’s first tournament since his early exit from the French Open and he came back with a bang. Using a protected ranking to enter, he impressively knocked out players like Leo Borg and Cameron Norrie on his way to the final. The semifinal was particularly dramatic, with Nadal coming from behind after losing the first set to defeat Mariano Navone and secure a spot in his first singles final since Wimbledon 2022. What Happened In The Final In the final, the 38-year-old Spaniard faced seventh seed Nuno Borges. Despite a valiant effort, Nadal lost 3-6, 2-6, marking his sixth runner-up finish at an ATP 250 event. Doubles Endeavor Nadal also joined forces with Casper Ruud in the men’s doubles event. They made it to the semifinals but had to withdraw to focus on Nadal’s singles final. Their run together earned them €9,600 in prize money. Prize Pool and Tournament Overview The Nordea Open, part of the ATP 250 series, had a total prize pool of €579,320. The singles champion took home €88,125, while the doubles-winning team received €30,610. Nadal’s performance in Bastad is a positive sign as he continues to work his way back into top form, looking ahead to future challenges in the season. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz Makes Grand Slam History; Faster Than Federer, Nadal and Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz is making Grand Slam history quicker than the legendary Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. By winning his fourth major title on Sunday, defeating Djokovic 6-2, 6-2 7-6(4) in the Wimbledon 2024 Final, Alcaraz has lifted four Slam trophies at the age of 21. Neither Djokovic, Federer, nor Nadal accomplished this feat at such a young age. ALCARAZ & THE BIG THREE’S FOURTH MAJOR TITLE PLAYER 4TH MAJOR TITLE AGE RECORD Roger Federer 2004 US Open 23 4-0 Rafael Nadal 2008 Roland Garros 22 4-2 Novak Djokovic 2011 US Open 24 4-2 Carlos Alcaraz 2024 Wimbledon 21 4-0 Djokovic, a record 24-time major champion, did not win his fourth Slam until the 2011 US Open, when he was 24. Nadal was 22 when he earned his fourth Slam crown at Roland Garros in 2008, and Federer was 23 when he reached the four-major mark at the 2004 US Open. Not only did Alcaraz accomplish the feat at a younger age than Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, but the Spaniard did so in significantly fewer Grand Slam matches. The 21-year-old has taken just 69 Slam matches (59-10) to win his fourth trophy at this level. ALCARAZ & THE BIG THREE: SLAM MATCHES TO EARN 4TH MAJOR TITLE PLAYER Slam Matches At 4th Major Grand Slam Winning % Roger Federer 79 77.2% (61-18) Rafael Nadal 81 84% (68-13) Novak Djokovic 134 82.1% (110-24) Carlos Alcaraz 69 85.5% (59-10) Federer needed 79 matches (61-18), Nadal took 81 matches (68-13), and Djokovic played 134 Grand Slam matches (110-24) before he claimed his fourth major title. Alcaraz’s winning percentage at the majors at the time of his fourth major triumph (85.5%) is better than Nadal’s (84%), Djokovic’s (82.1%), and Federer’s (77.2%) according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Alcaraz has won his first four Grand Slam finals, becoming just the second player in the Open Era to claim his first four major men’s singles finals. The only other player who did so was Federer, who was victorious in his first seven major finals. The Spaniard is just the sixth man in the Open Era to complete the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double, joining Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Rafael Nadal’s Career Earnings from Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal and Roland Garros’ connection is one for a lifetime. It wasn’t a dream return for Rafa on Clay Court. The mighty Rafa on clay court was for a change dominated by Alexander Zverev. The German defeated the 14-time-champion 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in straight sets. This was Rafa’s earliest defeat at Garros, since he made his debut in Paris, two decades back. However, the 2024 Roland Garros wasn’t about Rafa winning or losing. This is about celebrating Nadal’s legendary career, which also means the moolah Rafa made by just winning the French Open over a dozen times. Also Read: Prize Money for Champions at Roland Garros 2024 Between 2005 and 2022, Nadal made 17 appearances in Paris emerged victorious 112 times, and lost a mere three matches. The one to Zverev was his fourth in 18 appearances at Garros. Other than lifting the famous La Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy in the past, Nadal has made a fortune by winning the Roland Garros. Also Read: Prize Money For Champions at Roland Garros 2024 Rafael Nadal’s Career Earnings from Roland Garros Nadal has defeated eight opponents across 14 French Open Finals. Some big names include Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Stanislas Wawrinka, and Dominic Thiem. He not only won the French Open against top opponents but also won a handsome paycheque. Rafael Nadal has a career prize money of over $134 million in his illustrious career. This is the second highest by any athlete, after Novak Djokovic with over $182 million. A major chunk of Nadal’s prize money has come from Roland Garros. So, how much prize money has Nadal earned after winning the French Open titles? Season Opponent Scoreline Prize Money 2005 Mariano Puerta (Argentina) 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 € 0.88 million 2006 Roger Federer (Switzerland) 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 € 0.94 million 2007 Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 €1.33 million 2008 Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 € 1.20 million 2010 Robin Soderling (Sweden) 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 € 1.12 million 2011 Roger Federer (Switzerland) 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 € 1.20 million 2012 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 € 1.25 million 2013 David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 € 1.50 million 2014 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 € 1.65 million 2017 Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 € 2.10 million 2018 Dominic Thiem (Austria) 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 € 2.20 million 2019 Dominic Thiem (Austria) 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 € 2.30 million 2020 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 € 1.60 million 2022 Casper Rudd (Norway) 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 € 2.35 million Nadal’s total earnings after winning the French Open title is € 21,62,000 or $23,43,813. This figure is approximately 17 percent of the total earnings made by Rafa in his entire career. Over here, we haven’t calculated the earnings he made from his three losses at the French Open. With Nadal bowing out of the first round of the French Open 2024, he lost an opportunity to add another € 2.4 million to his bank account. However, this time it was more than just money on the line for the Spaniard. Rafa missed the 2023 French Open due to a hip injury. He made a comeback at the start of the year but missed the Australian Open. Even the Clay court, which he dominated for years wasn’t good enough to help him sail to Round 2. Rafael Nadal hasn’t announced his retirement, just yet. However, he did confirm that there is a big percentage of him not returning to Paris, in 2025. He has provided innumerable moments of joy to his fans. If this is the last time, Rafa has set foot on the Paris clay court, it is time to salute the legend, for his contributions, and for making us believe that impossible is nothing. Vamos Rafa!
