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Rafael Nadal’s 2023 campaign has been one to forget so far as he struggles with injuries, but let’s remember the good times by enjoying 15 minutes of highlights from his brilliant 2022 campaign.
Let’s start with the great man’s quote after winning the opening match of the 2022 Adelaide International season.
«I just love what I’m doing,» Nadal said after beating qualifier Ricardas Berankis in the second round Down Under. I have always felt passionate about the sport in general.
I feel very lucky to be able to live in my spare time. I know it’s not forever, it’s not something you do for 50 years, but I still want to enjoy it as much as I can when I have the opportunity. «
Millions of Fedal fans around the world will be grateful to be able to «live one of his hobbies».
Spain coach Maxime Cressin reached the final in Adelaide with a 7–6 (8–6) 6–3 win over the United States.
Eighty-nine titles became 90 titles when he won the Australian Open for the second time, this time defeating Daniil Medvedev 2–6, 6–7 (5–7) in a doubleheader. ), 6–4, 6–4, 7–5.
His win at Melbourne Park took his Grand Slam tally to 21 – an absolute record in men’s tennis.
The Rafael Nadal juggernaut then hit Acapulco to extend his unbeaten run to 16 wins in 2022.
Next was the Indian Wells Open, where he was challenged by Nick Kyrgios from a long distance in the quarter-finals, but in the end, the Spaniard came out on top by winning 7-6 (7-0), 5-7, 6-. 4 wins and took his winning streak to 20 matches to reach the finals. However, his undefeated streak ended when he lost in a series against Taylor Fritz.
A rib injury forced the veteran to miss the start of the clay season, and he won the much-anticipated opening two matches at the Madrid Open before beating eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz 2-6, 6-1, 3-6 in the quarterfinals.
A third-round exit followed at the Italian Open, but it was this part that set him up for the French Open with a record-extending 14th seed at Roland Garros.
His recent success in Paris also helped him reach 22 Grand Slams.
«For me personally, it’s very difficult to express my feelings,» Nadal said. “Definitely, being here at 36 years old, competing again, playing on the most popular court of my career, one more time is something I didn’t believe in last time. It means a lot to me. It means everything.»
Next was Wimbledon and He continued his unbeaten run at the 2022 Grand Slams by reaching the semi-finals, but a foot injury forced him to withdraw from his clash with Nick Kyrgios.
In August, Nadal returned at the Cincinnati Masters, but his comeback was short-lived when he was beaten by eventual winner Borna Coric in the second round.
It was his only warm-up match before the US Open, but he took his unbeaten run to 22 when he reached the fourth round of the 2022 Grand Slam matches. However, Francis Tiafoe of the United States won 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6.
He then took part in a Laver Cup THAT doubles match with his great friend Roger Federer before returning to ATP Tour singles at the Paris Masters, which he missed two years later. He lost his opening match against Tommy Paul in what turned out to be a disappointing contest.
Nadal’s final act of the 2022 season came at the ATP Finals where he started the tournament as the top seed but lost his opening two matches against Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Alissime. Although he defeated Kasper Rut in the final round, it was not enough to reach the semi-finals.
It was still a year to remember the legend: “The year was a dream year in terms of results. After returning from a five-month injury last year, it was memorable from that point of view.
Read more: Rafael Nadal moves to shocking 20-year streak in ATP rankings if he fails to defend French Open crown
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