Rafa Nadal puts legends in the shade with astonishing record

Sports Reporter

Tue, 27 Oct 2020, 1:03 am·2-min read

Rafa Nadal (pictured) throws his hands in the air as he celebrates winning the French Open. — Rafa Nadal (pictured) broke the record for most consecutive weeks in the ATP Top 10. (Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal has enjoyed an astonishing end to 2020 after he won the French Open and he has just added another incredible record to his illustrious career.

Nadal obliterated Novak Djokovic to secure his 13th Roland Garros title and equal Roger Federer’s haul of 20 Grand Slam titles.

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But on the 26th of October, Nadal etched his name in the record books again becoming the player with the most ever consecutive weeks in the ATP Top 10.

The 34-year-old Spaniard entered the ATP Top 10 rankings on the 25th of April 2005 at the age of 18.

He won his first ever Grand Slam at the French Open the next month.

Nadal has remained in the ATP Top 10 ever since 2005 for a total of 789 weeks.

The 20-time Grand Slam champ broke American Jimmy Connors’ record of 788 consecutive weeks.

Roger Federer sits behind the pair at 735 weeks, which Nadal took over last year after his win at the Rome Masters.

Insane feat considering Nadal’s injury issues

The feat becomes even more impressive considering Nadal’s consistent injury breaks in the latter part of his career.

Nadal has missed multiple Grand Slams throughout his career due to a host of wrist and knee injuries.

The 789 weeks, and counting, in the men’s Top 10 shows just how consistent Nadal week-to-week when on Tour.

Djokovic closes in on Federer record

Djokovic, who spent 555 weeks in the Top 10, will most likely fall short of Nadal’s record due to his elbow injury lay-off in 2017-2018.

But the Serbian is closing in on Federer’s record of most consecutive weeks as World No.1.

Novak Djokovic shakes hands with Roger Federer after their Men's Singles Semifinal match at the 2020 Australian Open. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Djokovic has spent 292 weeks at World No.1, 18 weeks shy of Federer.

He is tipped to take over Federer’s record in March 2021.

Only an insane run of form from Nadal or World No.3 Dominic Thiem will prevent Djokovic from the record.

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