Rafael Nadal It’s Roland Garros. But parent yes Matador, the greatest winner in Grand Slam history, only on French soil would be wrong. Inside this US Open He has also left an era and is one of the most successful in history in New York.
The Spanish left-hander collects four titles in the Big Apple to place just one short of the record of Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer, the kings of professionalism. If trophies before the Open Era are taken into account, Bill Tiden, William Larned and Richard Sears are the dominant players with 7 trophies.
Nadal’s history with the US Open began in 2003: after beating compatriot Fernando Verdasco, Raph lost in straight sets to Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui. The following year he was eliminated by Andy Roddick in the same event, while in 2004 he fell to James Blake in the third wheel.
In 2006, New York would enjoy it in week two, though he would eventually lose to Mikhail Youzhny in the quarterfinals. He would surpass that record in 2008: Andy Murray stopped him in the semi-finals. The Big Apple eluded him. Until he bit her.
The long-awaited title first came in 2010 when the world No. 1 won novak djokovicthen 3rd, by 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 and 6-2. Nole he would retaliate in the final the following year, although in 2012 the Spaniard would smile again. Again it was a victory for the left-hander in four sets: 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 and 6-1.
The 2015 and 2016 editions would hold surprises. First the Italian ruled it out Fabio Fognini in the third round and then the French will Lucas Pouillet in the round of 16. Both times, Nadal sold his five-set loss dearly. In 2017 his third crown in the United States would come with one of the “easiest” titles of his career: he didn’t face any top 25. The best that was spotted was Juan Martin del Potrowho was seeded 28th, whom he eliminated in four sets in the semifinals.
In 2019, Rafa again finished with the trophy in his hands for the fourth time. Definition in Russian Daniel Medvedev He was well on his way after the opening 7-5 and 6-3, but his opponent fought back to force a fifth set. At that moment the left-hander gave the plus that characterizes him to condemn the match with 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6 and 6-4.
His most recent appearance was in 2022, when he lost in the fourth round to the local Francis Tiafoe.
Rafael Nadal’s US Open stats
- Participations: 16
- Record: 67-12
- Titles: 4
- Nearest precedent: in 2022 they lost in the fourth round to the local Francis Tiafoe
