After his 2016 season, few predicted that Rafael Nadal would be returning to No. 1 on 21 August 2017. The Spanish star had to end his 2016 season early because of a nagging left wrist injury, yet here he is, back at the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings.

Spanish tennis legends, as well as current players from Spain, talked with ATPWorldTour.com about Nadal’s ascension to the top.

Read more stories in our Rafa Returns To No. 1 tribute…
Rafael Nadal: The Humble Champion
Coach Roig: ‘Rafa Has Been Through A Lot’
The Day Nadal Won His First Emirates ATP Rankings Point

Manolo Santana
“Rafa is a fighter, a warrior, and has always managed to show his best level after suffering physical setbacks. During the past few months I’ve seen him in play in Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Paris and London. His ambition and desire to stay at the top keeps surprising me more and more each time. Right now he’s the best player in the world and his [year-end No. 1] contest against Federer is going to be beautiful. I can’t wait to arrive in New York to follow the US Open and, later, see who clinches the year-end No. 1. It’s been a spectacular season and we the tennis lovers are having a ball.”

Alex Corretja
“It is fair to say that Spanish tennis is a force worldwide, but Nadal is its captain. Everybody looks up to Rafa and he’s making Spanish tennis even bigger. I would like to underline a point about Rafa: We should inculcate his values of hard work, humility and passion for tennis to every up-and-coming player. To be like him is going to be impossible, but we can transmit his spirit. Having him back at the top is the best thing that could have happened to our tennis.”

Alberto Berasategui
“Being back at No. 1 is very important for Rafa, but also a big example of effort, personal growth and fight. It means that he has been doing things right. He needed to lift a lot of big titles to be back at the top. Winning Grand Slam crowns also mean the world for him. Every detail counts to earn his place in history, but being No. 1 once again is incredible.”

Jordi Arrese
“For all the values that Rafa echoes, his return to No. 1 is the best for our tennis. Back in December, when you saw him training, one could imagine him regaining the top spot. He was practising with immense passion, and that is pivotal. He deserves it.”

Roberto Bautista Agut
“Rafa is a great example, not just for tennis but for sport in general. He represents the values and principles of fighting spirit, constant improvement and also the desire to keep winning. He truly deserves to be where he is, so congratulations to him and his team.”

Pablo Carreno Busta
“You can expect everything from Rafa because he has proven time after time that he is able to do amazing things. For instance, being injured and coming back to the top of the top. It’s very remarkable. If someone could do this, for sure Rafa was the one.”

Albert Ramos-Vinolas
“It’s amazing, but there is also something clear: After I lost the final in Monte-Carlo against him, I could see him back at the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings. His level was unbelievable. At the end of the year it will be between him and Federer but so far Nadal’s achievements have been amazing.”

David Ferrer
“People buried Rafa and that was a sure mistake. He had injuries and had struggled physically and even in that situation he has been able to stay among the best, having options and fighting to be competitive again. It is normal that great players such as Rafa come back to their best and with that, reach the top.”

Nicolas Almagro
“Being able to regain the No. 1 position is just insane. Another milestone for Rafa, for Spanish tennis but also a great example for the tennis world. If someone dared to have doubts about him, Rafa proves once more that his desire remains intact and his commitment never goes below 100 per cent.”

Marc Lopez
“I always had faith in Rafa. Always. It’s true that reaching the World No. 1 position was not an easy task seeing how good Djokovic or Murray were playing, or Federer this year. But Rafa never stops surprising you. I knew he would try and try again to be back to his best. But his year has been simply amazing so far. It’s insane. I am really happy for him and I know that for him this is very, very special. Rafa’s success is based on hard work and also that capacity of never surrender. He is an example.”

Guillermo García-Lopez
“For the Spanish tennis, to have Rafa there means that our tennis is back at the top. At the summit. Obviously Rafa is La Armada’s face. That puts us again amongst the best and it is a priceless recognition. Personally I think that Rafa has shown again his personal drive, his spirit of sacrifice. It’s a lesson for all of us. For a long time it was very unfair to hear comments about him. ‘He won’t be the one he was’, they said. ‘He won’t be World No. 1 again’. I never thought that.”

Tommy Robredo
“Rafa shows again that you cannot bury someone of his talent and hunger. I think his achievement is something great for our sport, for sport in general. Youngsters can look up to him and they’ll see him at the top again, where he deserves to be, but also they’ll see what it takes to be there. All the sacrifices and effort you have to put into it in order to succeed. Every comeback is spectacular but the older you get the more difficult and amazing it is to succeed. And to see him fighting like that when he has won everything makes it more admirable.”

Pablo Andujar
“Rafa is the perfect example of perseverance and always wanting to get better and improve. He is incomparable. There will be no one like him. Another player in his situation wouldn’t have made it after all the injuries and difficult moments.”

What You Need To Know About Nadal’s No. 1 

Weeks at No. 1: This will mark Nadal’s first week at No. 1 in 2017, but overall, the Spaniard will be celebrating his 142nd week and 995th day at the top spot. As far as hours, Nadal has enjoyed more than 23,860 hours at No. 1.

Total Weeks At The Top Emirates ATP Ranking

Longest streak: Nadal spent 56 consecutive weeks at No. 1 from 7 June 2010 to 4 July 2011.

Consecutive Weeks At No. 1

First time: Nadal’s debut at World No. 1 was 18 August 2008 and his stay there lasted almost a year, until 5 July 2009.

Second time: The Spaniard reclaimed the throne on 7 June 2010, the day his longest streak started.

Third time around: In October 2013, Nadal again climbed to the top Emirates ATP Ranking a long injury layoff. It was a remarkable comeback during a year to remember.

Big Titles Won As No. 1: During his three spells at the top, Nadal won five Grand Slam titles and five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns.

GRAND SLAMS
Australian Open 2009 (d. Federer)
Wimbledon 2010 (d. Berdych)
US Open 2010 (d. Djokovic)
Roland Garros 2011 (d. Federer)
Roland Garros 2014 (d. Djokovic)

ATP WORLD TOUR MASTERS 1000 TITLES
Indian Wells 2009 (d. Murray)
Monte-Carlo 2009 (d. Djokovic)
Rome 2009 (d. Djokovic)
Monte-Carlo 2011 (d. Ferrer)
Madrid 2014 (d. Nishikori)

Matches played as No. 1: Nadal has played a total of 227 matches as World No. 1, going 194-33, a winning percentage of 85. Of those 33 losses, eight came against one man: Novak Djokovic.

Longest matches as No. 1: Four times a match exceeded the four-hour mark with Nadal playing as World No. 1. The Spaniard won all four contests.

Two epic back-to-back wins are at the top of the list: Nadal’s 2009 Australian Open semi-final against Fernando Verdasco, which lasted five hours and 10 minutes; and Nadal’s 2009 Australian Open final against Roger Federer, which concluded after four hours and 19 minutes.

A tennis champion is one who doesn’t just win matches, collects trophies or plays in an aesthetically pleasing way, but in the eyes of fans globally embodies professionalism, commitment and sportsmanship on and off the court. In an era when superlatives are thrown around, when players are categorised and all-time lists are compiled, there are those gilded few, in living memory, from Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who are lionised. Not just for who they are, but what they represent.

Nadal has sat on a pedestal, living in the spotlight for much of the past 17 years – from the tennis prodigy who practised three times a week from the age of 14 with fellow Mallorcan Carlos Moya, to the winner of 73 tour-level crowns on all surfaces today. His every move, match (and injury) is scrutinised.

Today, in privacy, surrounded by his family and friends, Nadal could be forgiven to shed a tear upon his return to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, but the hard-working, humble and passionate Spanish champion won’t allow time for such emotion. He’ll be found on a practice court, wearing down his training partner with match-quality focus, under the gaze of Toni Nadal, Francisco Roig or Moya.

Omnipresent in the Top 10 since 25 April 2005, aged 18, the past 13 seasons have illustrated Nadal’s qualities as a fighter on and off the court. In overcoming elbow, ankle, knee and wrist injuries along the way, Nadal has returned to peak form time and again – striking through the ball with depth and great power, and competing with a clear mind when it comes to the crunch in pressure situations.

Few who witnessed, will ever forget, a crestfallen Nadal walk into a press conference to announce his withdrawal from Roland Garros last year, prior to his third-round match, with strapping on his left wrist. After three years of injuries, had Nadal’s battered body succumbed?

No, there was soon a familiar defiance. In compiling an ATP World Tour best 49-9 match record on the 2017 season, including four titles from seven finals, an injury-free Nadal has made a comeback to peak form. The older you get as a tennis player, the more complex and amazing such a return becomes.

At 31 years of age, Nadal now adds to his 141 weeks at No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, since his last period in top spot ended on 6 July 2014. It is Nadal’s terrific dedication and resilient nature that has ensured today, 21 August 2017, almost nine years to the day since he first attained the top spot, he begins his fourth stint at the summit of men’s professional tennis.

A tennis champion should never be written off. Nadal has been on countless occasions, since he first missed seven months of the 2012/13 season due to a knee injury, but he refused to listen to the critics of his dynamic and physical game. He has always known what is required to be the best, the sacrifices he has needed to make so not to bury any hunger, which, in turn, has allowed his talent to flourish.

While coaches globally may be unable to replicate the characteristics of Nadal’s game in their young charges, they can learn of the Spaniard’s spirit and humility. He is an example of everything that is good about the sport – a superstar player, who continually looks to master his craft in spite of his achievements, untouched by his stardom.

The Winston-Salem Open, 2016 ATP World Tour 250 Tournament of the Year, kicked off on Sunday. In a stacked top quarter of the draw, Marcos Baghdatis moved into the second round following a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Ricardas Berankis. Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic dismissed another Cypriot – wild card Petros Chrysochos 6-2, 6-3 – in just 59 minutes, saving both break points while converting on three of his own.

Baghdatis will next face 16th seed Jiri Vesely, while Lajovic squares off against top seed and last year’s finalist Roberto Bautista Agut. The winners of both encounters will meet in the third round.

In other action, Thiago Monteiro won his second FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting with Alexandr Dolgopolov in less than a month, prevailing 6-3, 6-3. The Brazilian had also defeated the Ukrainian in the Gstaad first round. Joining Monteiro in the second round were Jan-Lennard Struff, a 7-6(3), 7-6(4) winner over Norbert Gombos, and Andrey Kuznetsov, a 7-6, 6-2 winner over Nicolas Kicker.

Kuznetsov will face a tall order in his next match, dueling with third seed and two-time champion John Isner. The American is coming off a semi-final finish at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Fast feet and slow backhands.

That was the mercurial mix that engineered Grigor Dimitrov’s maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title over Nick Kyrgios at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Sunday. Dimitrov won 6-3, 7-5, saving both break points faced while winning a dominant 69 per cent (18/26) of second serves, which was far superior to Kyrgios’ 44 per cent (8/18).

Dimitrov showed exemplary footwork and speed on defence, many times sliding on the hard court well behind the baseline, miraculously putting one more ball back in play. It had a cumulative effect on Kyrgios, who had no answer for his quicker opponent when rally lengths reached double digits.

There were 16 rallies in the match that were at least 10 shots long, and Dimitrov amazingly won 15 of them. Kyrgios dominated the “first-strike” rallies, 38-34, when a maximum of only four shots were hit in the court.

But Dimitrov led 33-14 when a rally was extended to five shots or longer. That fifth ball in play was the line in the sand that clearly separated who was favoured to ultimately win the point.

It was one of those matches where there didn’t seem to be a ball that Kyrgios could hit that Dimitrov couldn’t run down.

Rally Length: Points Won
• 0-4 Shots: Kyrgios 38 / Dimitrov 34

• 5-9 Shots: Dimitrov 18 / Kyrgios 13

• 10+ Shots: Dimitrov 15 / Kyrgios 1

The main defensive weapon for Dimitrov was his slice backhand, which had the added benefit of giving Kyrgios less power for the Australian to use back at him.

When Dimitrov defeated Feliciano Lopez 7-6(5), 6-4 in his second-round match in Cincinnati, Dimitrov’s average groundstroke speed was a quick 76 mph. But against Kyrgios, Dimitrov dropped it 10 mph on purpose, averaging just 66 mph, to Kyrgios’ 68 mph. Kyrgios simply had nothing to work with.

Kyrgios Groundstroke Errors
Once the point migrated past the explosive serve and return at the beginning of the point, Dimitrov was always looking to match up his forehand to the Australian’s backhand. Kyrgios committed 12 backhand groundstroke errors for the match, with eight of them coming right after a probing Dimitrov forehand. Of the four backhands that followed a Dimitrov backhand, two were from a slice backhand, and two followed a topspin backhand.

Kyrgios also committed 12 forehand groundstroke errors, with eight preceded by a Dimitrov forehand, and four from a backhand. Interestingly, Kyrgios missed four low forehand approach shots, with three of them coming off a heavy slice backhand from Dimitrov that stayed low.

Read More: Kyrgios Pleased With Cincy Final Run

Overall, Kyrgios won only 5/9 (56 per cent) points at net, missing several more opportunities to come forward by not taking care of the approach shot.

Dimitrov’s clever defensive game plan worked to perfection against Kyrgios. The Bulgarian shrunk the court with his blinding speed and made Kyrgios over play because he routinely had to hit the ball lower and slower out of strike zone. It was as smart a strategic match as Dimitrov has ever played.

Grigor Dimitrov is a set away from winning the biggest title of his career at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon.

The seventh seed took the first set 6-3 against Nick Kyrgios during the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final. The Bulgarian erased both break points faced and has now held 46 of his 47 service games at the Masters 1000 event.

Dimitrov came up big on his lone break opportunity, returning a 129 mph serve from Kyrgios that the Aussie then netted. Kyrgios did not lose his serve during his semi-final win against David Ferrer. The Bulgarian has also been more solid from the back of the court, having won 17 of the 21 baseline rallies.

Both players are going for their first Masters 1000 title. Dimitrov is looking to win his third crown of the season after winning Brisbane and Sofia to start the year. He is 27-4 this season when he has won the first set.

Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut captured their second straight ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in dramatic fashion on Sunday at the Western & Southern Open. The Frenchmen celebrated a 7-6(6) 6-4 victory over Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares, as Herbert lunged for a stunning return that landed just inside the tramline for the lone break of the match.

Herbert and Mahut, who lifted the Coupe Rogers trophy just one week ago, extend their win streak to eight in a row with the win in Cincinnati. It marks the second straight year in which a team has completed the Canada-Cincinnati double, following Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo in 2016.

“We’re having a good run,” said Herbert. “It’s our second straight title in Cincinnati and we’re looking forward to a third at the US Open… It’s an amazing run we’re having.

“I think it was a great final, a great level of doubles. Both teams are playing well. It all came down to one or two points. So it was a great match and we came out winning. So it’s an amazing feeling right now and we are just happy to win.”

Moreover, the French duo have now won six ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns, all at different tournaments. They reeled off three straight victories to open their 2016 campaign, in Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, and have now compiled another streak of three consecutive Masters 1000 titles, triumphing in Rome, Montreal and Cincinnati.

“It was good to play in front of many fans today,” said Mahut. “I think Jamie and Bruno played really great tennis all the week and today. A little bit lucky to get the first set and then at the end we won the match. It was really, really close, but was on our side today.”

Herbert and Mahut needed one hour and 35 minutes to notch their 10th team title overall, saving all four break points faced. Herbert’s heroics on their first match point – and first break point of the final – sealed the victory. They split $295,500 in prize money and 1,000 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points, further solidifying their place among the top threats bidding to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

Individually, Mahut clinched his 20th tour-level doubles title, while Herbert moved to 11-5 in title matches. Murray and Soares dropped to 6-4 in finals together, sharing $144,670 in prize money and 600 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points.

“It’s us again. Sorry.”#CincyTennis doubles champions @nmahut and @p2hugz are getting used to these messages… pic.twitter.com/PpSbWdOq8B

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 20, 2017

After a one-year hiatus, the ATP Challenger Tour is back in western Canada for the 12th edition of the Odlum Brown VanOpen. Under the helm of new tournament director and 2006 champion Rik de Voest, they picked up right where they left off.

The bustling Canadian metropolis of Vancouver has welcomed world-class tennis for more than a decade and the players have taken notice. Seven of the eight seeds featured in this week’s draw are in the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, with World No. 79 Jordan Thompson and a resurgent Cedrik-Marcel Stebe slated to square off for the title on Sunday.

“It’s been great,” said Thompson, who is into his second ATP Challenger Tour final in less than a month, following a runner-up finish in Binghamton. “It’s one of the best Challengers in my book. Obviously you can’t beat the view from the top of the club. It’s just amazing and the people have been really nice and helpful here.”

Located at the multi-million dollar sports centre at Hollyburn Country Club in the beautiful suburb of West Vancouver, the venue offers some of the more picturesque views on the ATP Challenger Tour. Surrounded by the Howe Sound and Coast Mountains, players visiting Hollyburn have not only been treated to a world-class and opulent facility, but a relaxing retreat during the hectic summer hard-court season.

It’s one of the more picturesque skyline views on the #ATPChallenger Tour. @vanopentennis welcomes fans on SF Saturday at the Hollyburn CC. pic.twitter.com/EHiGwaUSfT

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 19, 2017

And perhaps the tournament’s greatest feature is the housing it offers its players. Traveling throughout the season can take its toll both physically and emotionally. A slice of home life on the road is always welcomed and with Hollyburn members opening their doors – and fast cars – players are treated to some of the finest hospitality the tour has to offer. Quarter-finalist Liam Broady is grateful for his host family, the Christiansens.

“They’ve housed a couple of English guys in the past and it definitely gets your adrenaline running in the morning when you’re coming in a fast car. It’s all fun,” Broady told ATPWorldTour.com. “The housing I have received at other events has always been great but the host family I have had here are fantastic. They have a beautiful home and are an amazing help throughout the tournament in any way they can.

“This is personally my favourite tournament of the year for many reasons. The host families are amazing and so is the club and the city of Vancouver. I know a lot of players feel the same way. Everybody was sad to see it off the calendar for 2016. Thankfully this year it was back bigger and better than ever. Hopefully it will be back again next year and in the years to come.”

Taro Daniel ?? is enjoying the beautiful waters of #WestVancouver this week at the Odlum Brown #VanOpen! #bestplayerhousing #ATP pic.twitter.com/MZpj2vNtn5

— Odlum Brown VanOpen (@vanopentennis) August 17, 2017

Broady upset top seed and four-time champion Dudi Sela in the second round, en route to his third Challenger quarter-final of the season and a projected return to the Top 250 of the Emirates ATP Rankings. The tournament also featured the final professional singles match of Canadian stalwart Philip Bester’s career, as well as a slew of #NextGenATP stars – six in total – looking to continue their ascents.

“It’s been really great,” said American teen Taylor Fritz, who also reached the quarter-finals. “This is definitely one of the nicest Challengers I’ve been to. With the attendance so high, the second I stepped on the Centre Court I was thinking that it feels like an ATP World Tour centre court. It’s really nice and the club’s great too. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

“I think it’s an amazing tournament for a Challenger,” added Austria’s Sebastian Ofner. “It’s not a big difference from an ATP tournament and the location is very nice. I also like the housing so you can live with someone. It’s just a very good tournament.”

On Sunday, second seed Thompson will vie for his fifth Challenger title and first of the year against former World No. 71 Stebe, who continues to plot his return to the Top 100 after missing nearly three years following hip surgery. The inspiring 26 year old was ranked outside the Top 500 a year ago and is into his third final of 2017, seeking a second title (Poprad Tatry).

Stay connected with the Odlum Brown VanOpen throughout the year at vanopen.com and check out their daily podcasts from the tournament, featuring player interviews and more.