Rafael Nadal has been named the 2017 ITF Men’s World Champion!
Rafa, who claimed the honour for the third time, made a sensational comeback from an injury-plagued 2016, winning a 10th French Open title and the US Open to take his grand slam haul to 16.
Rafa said:
I am very happy to receive this award from the ITF and be the 2017 ITF World Champion. It is four years since I last finished No. 1 on the ATP rankings and this has a special feeling. Congrats also to Garbine on her achievement which is great for our country. Many thanks to my team and my fans, and a special thank you to my uncle Toni for all these years.
Our champ claimed six titles in 2017 and sealed the year-end No. 1 ranking at the Paris Masters, becoming the oldest player to do so since the inception of the ATP rankings in 1973.
Garbine Muguruza took the women’s prize. This is the first time since Americans Pete Sampras and Lindsay Davenport in 1998 that the men’s and women’s ITF world champions are from the same country.
Congrats, Rafa!
Sources: Reuters, ITF
So well deserved. I wonder if another tennis authority would have dared give Fed yet another award without recognising Rafa? What happened at the ATP may be out of their control but ESPN and BBC Sports chose not to nominate him despite of La Decima. BBC decided a darts player was a candidate for Best International Sportsman (with all due respect) but how they did not even nominate Rafa is beyond comprehension.
: ) : ) : ) : ) : ) poor old princess r…..we are mighty alert by now to some of the artificial accumulation of his titles…. yep…titles handed with lots of help and crutches … but let it be….our CHAMP you DEAR RAFA NADAL IS WHERE TENNIS IS ALL ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) I love that YOU Rafa NADAL had many front runners to compete with, and YOU stands mighty tall, feisty, gorgeous & at the very top top top …..playing your magic and keeping relevant with your abilities, talents and skills……VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Very well deserved Rafa! !! May God bless you and keep you in good health. That way we can enjoy your tennis one more year. VAMOSSS RAFA! !!!
Congratulations, Rafa. on this well deserved award. Ending the 2017 season with the #1 ranking was incredibly special enough and now this award to represent all your hard work ,positive attitude, utmost sportmanship and victories. And of course, the passion! What a perfect season for you and your team. Enjoy and relish these special moments.
Congratulations to Garbine too, now a 2x grand slam winner. When she’s in the zone, she’s unbeatable.
All the best to both Rafa and Garbine and enjoy the holiday season!
A thoroughly deserved accolade! Well done Rafa! Wishing you great success in 2018!
What a great year for the great champion he has worked hard for this year ending number one position very happy for you Rafa,your a Good and honouranle man and worthy of been the grestest champion of your times.
As well as winning some very important trophies this year Rafa has received several special awards and through it all he has remained his usual unassuming and humble self.
What 2018 will bring no one knows but of one thing we can be certain – Rafa will give his best in every tournament he enters. Whether his best is enough for a win depends greatly on his health and fitness as well as the standard of his competitors of course.
As fans all we can do is support him and appreciate that he cannot go on winning forever but hope that his winning streak can continue on for a little bit longer.
Congratulations Rafa! Another well deserved award. You were a pleasure to watch. I was at home cheering during every match. I want you to rest and recuperate that knee for 2018. I am praying for you to win the Australian Open.
This year is going to be hard with all the great players like yourself out there.
Remember you want it take it. I Am your biggest fan and I know you can get it done. Much love and respect to you always. ❤️🎾💪
My dream is to one day watch you in person!
Bravo Rafa, you are the best. AO 2018; RG 2018, Wimbledon 2018, USO 2018 PLEASE PLEASE WIN THEM ALL.
Anyway, win or lose; you are te best .
WAMOS
Congratulations on a well-deserved award👏👍🏆Enjoy your break-hope you are feeling great. We are looking forward to seeing you next year. Spain has two terrific ambassadors with you and Garbine.😍👑❣️
I am so happy for Rafa! Congrats and more success for 2018! ❤️🏆🏆
VAMOS
This is exciting news and I am so happy for Rafa and his team. 2017 was an incredible year and as a Rafa fan there were so many thrilling moments. I just hope that Rafa will continue to enjoy good health. He did end the year on a note of concern. I suspect Rafa pushed himself in Paris in order to secure the number one ranking. Hopefully, he will begin 2018 fully able to compete.
Ok…eso y mucho mas te mereces Campeòn!!!!
Congrats , Rafa . Pray , u cross the Roger’ s record of 19 , one day . U have to be greatest of all .
RAFA WILL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) FOR SURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂
Congrats rafa,stay strong and focused ,we have another year ahead to blast,vamosss
CONGRATS Rafa, u r simply d BEST. God bless
Rafa the greatest most magnificent marvel in the planet !!
Cheers & v v v much delighted indeed.
Best wishes to champ Rafa
Congratulations!…to my very favorite ITF 2017 World Champion tennis 🎾 player. Looking forward to 2018.
mdl
A huge congrats sweet Rafa 😘🤗❤️ You sure deserve it champ 🎾💪🏼😍
Also congrats to Garbine ☺️ – Well done both of you 😃👍🏻
Rafa congratulations .a wis you a very happy Mary Cthistmas and a happy New Year,this new year is going to be the best for you.🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾❤️❤️❤️❤️🌹😘🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Congratulation Rafa continue on in 2018, get one more time Australian open
Very well done Rafa – the award is in deserving hands. Congrats to Garbine too. Spain has a lot to be proud of.