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Agence France-Presse

Unlike at his beloved Roland Garros, success did not arrive overnight for Rafael Nadal on the unforgiving hard courts of the US Open, where he surged to within a title of Roger Federer’s all-time men’s grand slam singles record Sunday.
Nadal’s epic victory over Daniil Medvedev secured the Spaniard his fourth US Open crown, leaving him one shy of the Open era record of five titles belonging to long-time rival Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors.
But it was not an instant connection between Nadal, his notoriously suspect knees, and the year’s final grand slam tournament.
“I think at the beginning of my career have been some tough moments here, losing matches,” said Nadal, who failed to reach a single semi-final in his first five trips to the US Open.


During that span, Nadal would claim at least one singles title at the other three majors, but it was not until his eighth visit to Flushing Meadows that he would get his hands on an elusive US Open trophy.
“Since a long time ago, every time that I came here I felt comfortable. I felt very competitive and fighting for the big things,” Nadal said during his run to a second US Open title in three years.
“I feel comfortable here, I like the atmosphere, I like the crowd. I feel a big energy when I am playing in this Arthur Ashe Stadium.”
I feel comfortable here, I like the atmosphere, I like the crowd. I feel a big energy when I am playing in this Arthur Ashe Stadium
Rafa Nadal
Nadal’s latest coronation, his 19th grand slam title, reinforced the fact the slower courts of the US Open and his obliging knees have turned New York into a land of opportunity.
Vanquished opponents this past fortnight struggled to find superlatives befitting the 33-year-old as he capped one of his greatest grand slam years in thrilling style.

Diego Schwartzman suggested Nadal was “like a lion in the middle of the jungle” while Matteo Berrettini called him “the greatest fighter ever in this sport.”
“It’s tough to find words. He’s one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport. He’s just a machine, a beast on the court,” Medvedev said.
Victory on Sunday moved Nadal to within one grand slam title of Federer, who, at 38, is more than four years older, but the Spaniard downplayed the importance of catching the Swiss legend.
“Of course, I would love to be the one who achieves more grand slams, but I still sleep very well without being the one who has more grand slams,” Nadal said, with typical humility.
His grand slam CV boasts 12 French Opens, four US Open titles, two at Wimbledon and one at the Australian Open.
His 2008 Wimbledon final triumph over Federer is widely regarded as the greatest-ever final at the majors.
Along with Federer and Novak Djokovic, the other member of tennis’ “Big Three”, Nadal has comfortably passed the US$100 million prize money barrier.

Tennis has been good for Nadal but he has been just as influential as a key driver of the sport’s growth.
He won an under-12 regional crown at age eight and by 12 had captured Spanish and European age-group junior titles.
By 15, he had turned professional and, two years later, won his first match against Federer.
At 19, he won the 2005 French Open on his debut.
Nadal has Wimbledon crowns in 2008 and 2010, an Australian Open title in 2009 and completed the career Grand Slam in 2010 by defeating Djokovic in the US Open final, becoming the youngest in the Open era to complete the four-event career sweep.
Only Nadal and Andre Agassi can say they have a career grand slam and an Olympic men’s singles gold medal, Nadal having claimed his in 2008 at Beijing.
He has also led Spain to four Davis Cups.
Knee and wrist injuries have taken a toll throughout his career, however, costing him nine slam appearances.

After he failed to even reach a slam semi-final in 2015 and 2016 some figured his greatest moments were behind him.
But Nadal roared into the 2017 Australian Open final, losing to Federer, then captured a record 10th French Open crown in June that year, setting the stage for another title run at the US Open.
Those struggles receded further into distant memories this year as he reached the semi-finals at all four majors for the first time since 2008, his five-set win over Medvedev moving him a step closer to history.


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Andre Agassi on Hong Kong, his comeback and learning to live in the present

Aryna Sabalenka on loving Hong Kong, Steffi Graf and inspiring young players

National Games: Hong Kong tennis chiefs hope golden November will boost sport’s elite status

US Open (tennis)

US Open: clay fiend Rafa Nadal finds unlikely second home at Flushing Meadows

Rafael Nadal celebrates wining match point against Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final. Photo: USA Today

Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the trohpy after his win over Daniil Medvedev of Russia during the men's Singles Finals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 8, 2019. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP)

Sep 8, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia (not pictured) in the men's singles final on day fourteen of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 8, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after match point against Daniil Medvedev of Russia (not pictured) in the menÕs singles final on day fourteen of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Bianca Andreescu topples Serena Williams in US Open final to become Canada’s first grand slam singles champion

Bianca Andreescu of hits a return against Serena Williams during the women's singles finals match at the 2019 US Open in New York on Saturday. Photo: AFP

epa07826836 Bianca Andreescu of Canada (L) and Serena Williams of the US after the women's final match on the thirteenth day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 07 September 2019. The US Open runs from 26 August through 08 September. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE

Serena Williams, of the United States, serves to Bianca Andreescu, of Canada, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

US Open – Wang Qiang v Serena Williams: Chinese tennis fans turn on their No 1 after 44-minute quarter-final thrashing at Flushing Meadows

Wang Qiang reacts during defeat. Photo: Xinhua

(190904) -- NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Serena Williams hits a return during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Wang Qiang of China and Serena Williams of the United States at the 2019 US Open in New York, the United States, Sept. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

(190904) -- NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Wang Qiang (R) poses for a photo with Serena Williams before women's singles quarterfinal match between Wang Qiang of China and Serena Williams of the United States at the 2019 US Open in New York, the United States, Sept. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

(190904) -- NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Wang Qiang hits a return during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Wang Qiang of China and Serena Williams of the United States at the 2019 US Open in New York, the United States, Sept. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Sport

Tennis


Spaniard’s epic victory leaves him one shy of the Open era record of five titles
Claims his 19th grand slam title



Spaniard’s epic victory, his 19th grand slam title, leaves him one shy of the Open era record of five titles.


ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

US Open: clay fiend Rafa Nadal finds unlikely second home at Flushing Meadows

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Spaniard’s epic victory leaves him one shy of the Open era record of five titles Claims his 19th grand slam title

Spaniard’s epic victory leaves him one shy of the Open era record of five titles

Claims his 19th grand slam title