The 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal is spending his 673rd week in the top-3. Thus, the Spaniard has become the second player with that many weeks in the selected group, leaving Novak Djokovic on 672 and standing 77 behind the record holder Roger Federer.
Nadal has no points to defend for the rest of the season, looking good to finish the year in the top-3 and get more weeks in that group. Nadal cracked the top-3 following his first Major title at the 2005 Roland Garros. Rafa achieved that a couple of days after turning 19, and he is still a part of that group over 17 years later, proving his incredible consistency!
Nadal is the second-strongest link on the men’s Tour in 2022, behind his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz. Rafa conquered two Major titles this year, making a perfect start and winning four titles despite injuries.
Rafael Nadal is the second player with 673 top-3 weeks.
Rafa stayed in the top-3 between 2005 and 2012 after an incredible start to his career.
The Spaniard struggled with injuries and left the mentioned group for the first time after joining it. He made a big push in 2013 to return to where he belonged before experiencing more issues in 2015 and 2016, barely staying in the top-10.
Nadal was back at his best in 2017, regaining his Roland Garros dominance and claiming four more Parisian titles in the previous five years! Rafa played only 29 matches in 2021 and lost ground a bit to the rivals from the top.
He played two encounters following the Roland Garros semi-final loss to Djokovic and wrapped up the season in August to turn his focus on 2022. Rafa made a perfect return and claimed his second Australian Open crown this January following an epic comeback against Daniil Medvedev in the title clash.
The Spaniard suffered his first loss of the season in the Indian Wells final, fracturing his rib and not playing until May. Rafa was far from his best at the Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome, struggling to find his A-game and still dealing with foot pain.
Receiving injections ahead of every match, Nadal passed all seven obstacles in Paris to claim the 14th Roland Garros crown and his 22nd Major! Rafa withdrew ahead of the Wimbledon semi-final, injuring his abdomen and revealing a seven-millimeter tear.
Nadal played only one match ahead of the US Open and could not fight for the fifth New York crown, losing to Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round. Rafa played the doubles match alongside Roger Federer at the Laver Cup and returned home to Mallorca the following morning. The Spaniard is working hard on his comeback, hoping to compete in Paris and Turin and chase the year-end no. 1 honor.
