• Rafael Nadal’s future better than ever (via ESPN)

… In the larger context, Nadal is easing into some glorified territory. He’s got 13 majors now, breaking a tie with Roy Emerson, and finds himself all alone in third place all-time. Suddenly, Pete Sampras (14) and even Federer (17) seem within reach. Nadal, despite his history of knee histrionics, is the only player to win a Grand Slam title nine years in a row.

• ATP stats and information guru Greg Sharko looks at the numbers behind Rafael Nadal’s US Open triumph (via ATP)
• Brain Game: Rafa Is Clutch When It Counts (via ATP)
• US Open champion Rafael Nadal gives thanks to family after greatest triumph with defeat of Novak Djokovic (via The Telegraph)

… “I think on court I am a positive player,” Nadal said on Monday night. “Whether things are not going well or are going well, I am never very sad or have a negative attitude on court. “When somebody is winning you need to write [stories], and the people think that something has changed. But the real thing is I am playing well. That’s all, no?”

• U.S. Open victory the pinnacle of Nadal’s unbelievable comeback year (via SI.com)

… So when it was over, Rafa fell again. Twice. The first was the usual championship drop, but he instantly sprang back up to shake hands at net. Then, after dropping his racket, Nadal turned toward his box — all the faces that have long kept him going — and took a step on court. His legs gave. He collapsed flat onto his stomach, and lay under the lights and eyes of thousands, face covered, back trembling. Five, 10 seconds passed.

Then Nadal did what he always does, bad moment or good. He gathered himself, and got back on his feet. The winner’s check was waiting. The queen, too.

• Nadal Inspires Awe After His Victory (via NY Times)
• Steve Flink: Rafa proves he is the real number 1 (via Tennis Channel)

… Rafael Nadal is a singularly compelling player in my view, and every time he succeeds tennis seems better for it. His latest victory at the U.S. Open was no exception to that rule.

• U.S. Open: How Rafael Nadal bested Novak Djokovic — and all reasonable expectations (via oregonlive.com)
• He’s Coming, And He Won’t Stop

… Think about this question: What would you do if you’re a guest writer at a blog devoted to chronicling tennis and the adventures of Roger Federer in particular, and you watch Rafael Nadal own the rest of the ATP Tour on hardcourts, thereby mounting a full frontal assault on Federer’s 17 major titles and his place in history? Yeah, not an easy question to answer, is it? Viewpoint, mindset, orientation, stylistic preferences, perceived slights (or lack thereof) in the media — those and other things would shape your answer…

• Greatest hit by a member of Fab Four: Rafa Nadal’s US Open win has to go down as the finest feat of a golden era (via The Independent)

… Nadal said the only doubt in his mind when he began his comeback in February had been whether he would be fit enough to play. “Even though I was out for seven months, I was sure that I hadn’t forgotten how to play tennis,” he said. “If you are healthy and if you have already been at the top of the game for eight or nine years and you stop for seven months, why will you not have the chance to be back there?”

• Rafael Nadal chasing down Roger Federer’s record after US Open win (via The Guardian)

… Nadal is closing in on Federer’s grand slam haul of 17 but the US Open runner-up, Novak Djokovic, says he will return stronger