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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: Rafael Nadal (R) of Spain is congratulated by Andy Roddick of the United States after their singles match during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 22, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: Rafael Nadal (R) of Spain is congratulated by Andy Roddick of the United States after their singles match during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 22, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Spanish tennis superstar Rafael Nadal still continues to dominate the events on the clay courts. Yesterday, he lifted his 10th Italian Open title in Rome after beating World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in fine fashion. With this, the Mallorcan-born athlete lifted his second clay-court title of the season.
After his heroics yesterday, Rafael Nadal was showered with praise from former Grand Slam winner Andy Roddick. The retired player was in awe of the Spaniard’s consistency. At one moment, he ran out of words to describe Rafa’s greatness.
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: Rafael Nadal (L) of Spain shakes hands with Andy Roddick (R) of the United States after their match during Day Twelve of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Nadal defeated Roddick 6-2, 6-1, 6-3. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The 38-year-old former US Open champion stated, “It’s at this point where you hear these numbers, and they didn’t make sense five years ago. These guys just keep adding these numbers and the consistency with which they show up… To do it year after year and we’re looking at a decade and a half and you run out of superlatives.”
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Andy Roddick had a decorated career
In his career, Andy achieved great honors and won 32 singles titles. Besides winning his only Grand Slam title at the 2003 US Open, he made it to the finals of Wimbledon on three occasions. He even claimed the number one ranking in November 2003.
Coming back to Rafa, he has thrilled fans from all over the world. His achievements on the clay-court events are so great that it seems impossible for any professional player to emulate them. He has won the French Open 13 times, Barcelona Open 12 times, Monte Carlo 11 times, and the Italian Open 10 times.
via Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2021 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates with the trophy after winning his final match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Rafael Nadal won in Barcelona earlier this season
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In the current season, Nadal played at the Australian Open but lost in the quarterfinal. He returned on the Tour after a break and competed in Monte Carlo. Although he did not go deep into the event, he won the Barcelona Open the following week.
Rafa lost in Madrid last week but bounced back in Rome. He will now shift his focus towards the French Open and will look to lift the 21st Grand Slam title of his career.
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