Tennis

Rafael Nadal, the legendary tennis icon, is bidding farewell to his illustrious career at the Davis Cup Finals. As a tribute to his unparalleled achievements, we present five of his remarkable records that may stand the test of time.912 Consecutive Weeks in the Top 10Nadal's unwavering consistency is exemplified by his record-breaking 912 consecutive weeks in the ATP Top 10. From his debut in 2005 at age 18, he remained among the elite for nearly 18 years, a feat unmatched in the history of the sport. This remarkable streak includes 209 weeks spent at the pinnacle of the rankings as world No. 1.Longest Top 10 Streak in ATP HistoryNadal's 912-week Top 10 streak dwarfs the previous record held by Jimmy Connors (789 weeks). It is a testament to his exceptional longevity and ability to maintain a high level of performance throughout his career.Comparison to WTA Top 10Only one woman, Martina Navratilova, has surpassed Nadal's consecutive Top 10 streak in the WTA rankings. Navratilova spent an astonishing 1,000 straight weeks in the elite, a record that remains unmatched.Nadal's DominanceNadal's dominance is further evident in his 23 career wins over world No. 1s, a record that stands as a testament to his ability to rise to the occasion against the best in the world. His 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open titles, solidify his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.Legacy of ExcellenceAs Nadal prepares to hang up his racquet, his legacy of excellence will continue to inspire generations of tennis players. His unwavering determination, exceptional talent, and relentless pursuit of greatness have left an indelible mark on the sport.

Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, is eagerly anticipating the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next week, where he will team up with the legendary Rafael Nadal for one final time. Nadal, who has announced his retirement from the sport, is set to hang up his racquet after the men's team event, and Alcaraz is determined to give him a fitting send-off."I think it's most important for Rafa, for his last tournament. I really want him to retire with a title," Alcaraz said after losing to Alexander Zverev in the Nitto ATP Finals. "It's going to be really, really emotional and a really special tournament for me."Alcaraz, who won the French Open and Wimbledon this year, has a special bond with Nadal. The duo teamed up at the Paris Olympics, falling just short of reaching the medal rounds. Alcaraz went on to win a silver medal in singles, finishing runner-up to Novak Djokovic.Djokovic, who withdrew from the season-ending championships, is a player that Alcaraz holds in high regard. "We've seen before that it doesn't matter that he doesn't play an official match for two, three, four months because he's going to come again and be able to win the tournament, be able to show a really high level of tennis," Alcaraz said."He's going to be fresh, for sure. A lot of time with his family, kids, wife. Have time to practice a lot, which is pretty good for a tennis player coming to a tournament with motivations."Alcaraz is currently ranked No. 3 in the world and has a 5-6 record against Zverev. If Casper Ruud wins one set against Andrey Rublev, Alcaraz will have to wait another year to make a run at the coveted ATP Finals trophy."This year, as I said, I've played great tournaments and really bad tournaments. My goal at the end to be there all the time. Every tournament that I'm going to play, at least reach the semifinal, final, give myself the chance to win the tournament," Alcaraz said."So I have to work. Thank God I'm young, I'm still super young, so I hope to have many years to get there."

Rafael Nadal, the legendary tennis icon, is set to retire after the Davis Cup Finals, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy. Among his numerous accomplishments, one record that stands out is his remarkable 23 career wins over world No. 1 players.Nadal's dominance over the top-ranked players began in 2004 when he stunned Roger Federer in Miami at the age of 17. This victory marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that saw him accumulate the most wins over world No. 1s in ATP or WTA rankings history.Over the span of 18 years, Nadal faced off against the best players in the world, including Federer and Novak Djokovic, his two greatest rivals. He holds a 13-10 record against Federer, with 10 of those wins coming on clay. Against Djokovic, Nadal has a 10-13 record, with eight victories on clay.Nadal's ability to consistently defeat world No. 1s is a testament to his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and unmatched competitive spirit. His record is a testament to his greatness and will likely stand as an unbreakable record for years to come.

Rafael Nadal, the legendary tennis icon with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, is preparing for his final dance at the Davis Cup Finals. The 38-year-old Spaniard announced his retirement in October, and the Davis Cup will be his last competitive tournament.Nadal arrived in Malaga on Thursday, greeted by former teammate and current Davis Cup tournament director Feliciano Lopez. He signed autographs and posed for pictures with eager fans, soaking in the atmosphere of his final tournament.During his first practice session at the Palacio Deportes Martín Carpena, Nadal was joined by his long-time coach Carlos Moya. It remains uncertain whether Nadal will play singles or doubles, but he has hinted that he will only take the court if he feels "100 percent sure" he can win."I will try to be in good shape to help the team to win," Nadal said. "If I don't feel ready for the singles, I'll be the first one to say."Spain, seeded second in the knockout phase, will face the Netherlands for a semifinal spot next Tuesday. Captain David Ferrer has assembled a strong team, including Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez, and Marcel Granollers.Nadal's retirement marks the end of an era in tennis. He has been a dominant force in the sport for over two decades, inspiring countless fans with his relentless determination and exceptional talent. His final appearance at the Davis Cup will be a fitting tribute to his illustrious career.

Rafael Nadal's farewell tour has taken an unexpected turn, with his 2-year-old son, Rafael Jr., stealing the spotlight. The toddler has become a fixture at Nadal's events, including the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, where he was seen clapping enthusiastically for his father's winners.Nadal, who announced his retirement next month, has expressed his desire for his son to pursue a different sport. However, it's clear that Rafa Jr. has developed an appreciation for tennis. In an on-court interview, Nadal acknowledged his son's support, saying, "He thinks I'm great whether I win or lose."Despite his recent losses, Nadal emphasized the importance of his family in his life. "Having him here helps all the tough moments I've been through the last couple of years," he said.After losing to Novak Djokovic in the final, Nadal melted hearts as he high-fived with Rafa Jr. and expressed his gratitude to his wife, Maria Francisca Perello. "Thank you for everything you have done," he said. "To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive and with the necessary energy to continue."Nadal's son has not only captured the attention of fans but also his fellow players. Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Nadal in the semifinals, praised Rafa Jr.'s enthusiasm. "It must be nice to have baby Rafa here with your wife and family," Alcaraz said. "He thinks you're great whether you win or lose."As Nadal prepares for his final tournament, the Davis Cup Finals, his son's presence serves as a reminder of the legacy he will leave behind. While Rafa Jr. may not follow in his father's footsteps on the tennis court, he has undoubtedly become a symbol of Nadal's love for his family and the sport that has defined his life.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Other Tennis Kings Cash In at Lucrative Six Kings Slam ExhibitionIn the opulent setting of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and four other top players are participating in the Six Kings Slam exhibition event, where the stakes are high and the rewards are substantial.Each of the six players has reportedly received a guaranteed $1.5 million for their participation, with the winner of Saturday's final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner set to pocket a staggering $6 million.For Alcaraz and Sinner, the young stars who shared the four Grand Slam titles in 2024, the potential winnings are particularly lucrative. A victory for Alcaraz would net him almost as much money as he earned for his combined 14 victories in Grand Slam tournaments this season. Sinner, too, stands to nearly double his earnings from his major triumphs.The prize money on offer in Riyadh is not limited to the winner. Holger Rune, whose ranking has slipped from a career-high world No. 4 to No. 14, has already pocketed $1.5 million from the exhibition, representing a staggering 68% of his on-court earnings for the year.Even Daniil Medvedev, who lost to Sinner in the quarterfinals, has benefited handsomely from his trip to Saudi Arabia. The former world No. 1 earned $21,739.13 for every minute he spent on court in Riyadh.The Six Kings Slam exhibition is a testament to the growing popularity and financial rewards of tennis. While the event does not offer ranking points or official head-to-head matches, the players are handsomely compensated for their participation, adding to their already substantial earnings.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, expressed his admiration for his idol, Rafael Nadal, ahead of their highly anticipated clash in the semi-finals of the "Six Kings Slam" exhibition event in Riyadh. Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, announced his retirement from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month.Alcaraz, who defeated Holger Rune 6-4, 6-2 to set up the meeting with Nadal, said, "Since I started to play tennis, I'm watching his matches. I look up to him and I grew up watching him. He was my idol, he is still my idol.""A really important person for my life, for my career and he was one of the reasons that I wanted to become a professional tennis player. Knowing he is going to retire is pretty tough for everyone, for me."Alcaraz and Nadal have met three times on the main ATP Tour, with Nadal holding a 2-1 advantage. The Spanish pair played doubles together at the Paris Olympics this year and are expected to team up again at the Davis Cup Finals.Nadal's last singles appearance was at the Olympics on the same Roland Garros courts where he won 14 French Open titles. His Olympic singles campaign was ended by Novak Djokovic in the second round.In the other semi-final in Riyadh, Djokovic will face Australian Open and US Open champion Jannik Sinner. Sinner, who defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 6-3, said, "The semi-final against Novak will be a different match than the ones we played in the past.""We know each other quite well and we know what to expect from each other. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but I am just trying to play the best possible tennis, and we will see how it goes."

Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player, is set to bid farewell to his professional career at the Davis Cup next month. However, before his grand farewell, Nadal will grace the courts of the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for two guaranteed matches this week.Joining Nadal in this star-studded event are his long-time rival Novak Djokovic, as well as top-ranked players Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune. The three-day tournament will commence on Wednesday, October 16th, with Sinner facing Medvedev and Alcaraz taking on Rune.Nadal and Djokovic, having received byes into the semifinal round, will make their appearances on Thursday, October 17th. The losers of their respective matches will compete in the third-place match on Saturday, October 19th, while the winners will battle it out in the championship match.All matches will be broadcast live on T2 and TennisChannel.com. The detailed match schedule is as follows:Wednesday, October 16th:* Sinner v. Medvedev – 12:30 p.m. ET* Alcaraz v. Rune – Not before 2 p.m. ETThursday, October 17th:* Djokovic v. Sinner/Medvedev winner – 12:30 p.m. ET* Nadal v. Alcaraz/Rune winner – Not before 2 p.m. ETSaturday, October 19th:* Third-Place Match – 12:30 p.m. ET* Championship Match – Not before 2 p.m. ETThis exhibition tournament provides a unique opportunity for tennis enthusiasts to witness some of the greatest players in the world compete in a thrilling and competitive environment. As Nadal prepares for his final farewell, the Six Kings Slam offers a glimpse of his exceptional talent and the legacy he will leave behind in the sport of tennis.

Justin Engel, born in 2007, has made history as the youngest player to win an ATP match since Carlos Alcaraz in 2020. Despite initially pursuing kickboxing, Engel switched to tennis at age 11, inspired by his father's coaching experience with Anca Barna.Engel's development has been supported by various resources, including training with Alexander Waske, Maximilian Marterer, and Philipp Kohlschreiber. He has prioritized professional tournament experience over junior competition, capturing four ITF World Tennis Tour M15 titles in 2024.Engel's progress has focused on improving his first serve percentage, angles, and leg speed. He has also worked on his mental resilience, drawing inspiration from Rafael Nadal's power and Novak Djokovic's athleticism and discipline.Engel expresses sadness at the prospect of Nadal's retirement but hopes to face Djokovic on tour. He believes that Djokovic's longevity will provide an opportunity for their paths to cross.