Although Rafael Nadal did not win the World Tour Final (only his second final appearance of his career), he had one of the biggest comebacks of all time. To summarize this year:
- Rafa came into the season after 222 days of injury. His ranking went as low as 5, something that hasn’t happened since 2005.
- He became the fifth player in the history of the Emirates ATP Rankings (since 1973) to move from outside the Top 3 from the previous season to finish No. 1 the next season.
- This final marked his 14th final showing in 17 tournaments this season (10-3 in finals). He ends with a 75-7 match record (93%).
- He secured a record-breaking eighth Roland Garros title as well as a bunch of clay court titles (summary below).
- More importantly, he won the US Open for a second time along with Indian Wells, Montreal, and Cincinnati something many thought he could never achieve.
- He has a record-breaking 26 Masters Titles.
- He enters 2014 with the chance to at least tie Pete Sampras’s 14 grand slam titles and at most tie Roger Federer’s record of 17 grand slam titles.
2013 Highlights:
WON (10 titles): Sao Paulo (d Nalbandian); Acapulco (d Ferrer); ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells (d Del Potro); Barcelona (d Almagro); ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid (d Wawrinka); ATP Masters 1000 Rome (d Federer); Roland Garros (d Ferrer); ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada (d Raonic); ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati (d Isner); US Open (d Djokovic); Final (3): Vina del Mar (l Zeballos); ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo (l Djokovic); Beijing (l Djokovic); SF (2): ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai (l Del Potro); ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Paris (l Ferrer)
In conclusion, VAMOS RAFA and bring on 2014!
Source: Tumblr
Rafa will always be NUMBER ONE!! Have a wonderful Xmas and we will all be there for you in 2014. You have so many fans in South Africa – when we will see you out here?
What an incredible year for you and your family! We are still playing all the recorded matches!
Em 2013 , Rafael Nadal só nos deu alegrias. Venceu praticamente todos os torneios e /ou chegou à semi final, ou quase. Assistindo Rafa, só pudemos desfrutar de um tênis soberbo e assistir a garra , o coração e o mental do nosso ídolo. Não venceu a o ATP finals, e dai? Durante todo o anos esteve ao nosso lado e nos demonstrou a sua simplicidade e beleza de um dos maiores, senão o maior tenista que já existiu e existe. Sua simplicidade, coração e mental o fazem um ser diferenciado e amado e além de tudo admirado por todos nós. Vamos Rafa.
Well said to all the comments above enjoy the close season Rafa and come back in 2014 and we will be waiting for you God Bless
vamos rafa! look out everyone
All glory to God for giving him the strength to achieve all of this and thumbs up to Rafa for taking thats been given to him and make the best out of it. That defines character and a strong believe in himself and God. VAMOS champ
Vamos Rafa the tiger
This only shows how great player Rafa is.
Rafa mondiale!!! VAMOS SIEMPRE qq
That’s Rafa! What a class act he is. Vamos Rafa! Enjoy all your winnings!
Vamos RAFA, TAKE ALL THE GRAND SLAMS IN 2014, I BELIEVE IN YOU, TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE AND THE BEST PLAYER EVER❤️❤️❤️
rafa has been amazing, and this has been the best year ever VAMOS!