On January 2, 2017 the first ATP rankings list for this year was released. Rafael Nadal was world No. 9, after having missed the fag-end of 2016 season. Even when he did play last year, he played with a wrist injury for the most part.
Fast forward nine months, and he is the world No. 1. He has reached three out of the four Grand Slam finals. He completed the La Decima at French Open, without dropping a set. He won his 16th Slam at the US Open.
And he’s done all that by playing tennis of the highest quality, rewinding the clock back, just like his friend and rival Roger Federer. To watch Nadal this year has reminded all of us again of why we adore him.
Relive his wonderful year here: