Rafael Nadal claims new ATP record as he wins Melbourne Summer Set
Rafael Nadal started his season in style as he won the Melbourne Summer Set to set a new ATP record.
Nadal was playing his first competitive tennis since August due to a long-standing foot injury.
The Spanish ace also tested positive for Covid-19 just a month ago.
However, he roared back with a 7-6, 6-3 win over Maxime Cressy in the final to become the first male player in the Open Era to win a title in 19 different seasons.
It breaks the previous record set by Roger Federer and Andre Agassi.
Most seasons in a row with at least one ATP title:
19 – Nadal
18 – Federer, Agassi
16 – Djokovic*
15 – Connors
14 – Lendl
13 – Murray, McEnroe, Hewitt
12 – Cilic*, Roddick, Moya, Sampras, Chang, Becker, Smith(via @TennisMyLife68)
*last titles in 2021
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 9, 2022
“I want to thank all the organisation here,” Nadal said during the trophy ceremony.
“I feel privileged and a very lucky guy to be here again. I am coming back from some challenging moments in terms of injuries, so I can’t be happier.
“It means a lot to be back and with a trophy in my hands.
“This court has always been very, very special for me.
“The Rod Laver Arena is very, very special for everyone and it is more special because of you guys.
You guys are a great crowd and I can’t thank you enough.”
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