Rafael Nadal wins the ATP Tour Fans Favourite Award for the first time, ending Roger Federer’s 19-YEAR STREAK… as the Spaniard thanks fans around the world for their support
- Rafael Nadal has been voted for the ATP Tour Fans Favourite Award for 2022
- The Spaniard endured an historic year, winning the Australian and French Open
- It is the first time Nadal has ever won the award despite a very successful career
- Roger Federer previously won it 19 years in a row from 2003 through to 2021
Rafael Nadal has been voted as the ATP Tour Fans Favourite for 2022, ending Roger Federer’s 19-year winning streak with the award.
The Spaniard, 36, has endured an historic year, winning his first 20 matches in 2022, before he also won the Australian Open and French Open.
The Australian Open victory was at the time a record 21st Grand Slam crown for Nadal, but his 22nd title, achieved at Roland Garros, leaves him one clear of Novak Djokovic in the all-time list of Grand Slam titles on 21 after the Serb won Wimbledon.
Rafael Nadal was voted as the ATP Fans Favourite for 2022, winning the award for the first time
Along with his two Grand Slam victories, Nadal also won ATP Tour events in Melbourne and Acapulco which means he has now won 92 titles on the tour. Nadal ended the year with 39 victories and eight losses.
The Spaniard’s emphatic year is all the more remarkable given that he entered 2022 after a five-month injury layoff.
And Nadal was delighted to receive the fan-voted award. Speaking to the ATP Tour media team, he said: ‘I am super happy to receive the Fans’ Favourite Award [in] 2022.
2022 was an historic year for Nadal after he won both the French and Australian Open titles
Roger Federer previously won the fan-voted award for 19 successive years from 2003-2021
‘It makes me feel great. I can’t thank you enough everyone for the support not only for this award, but at the same time for all the support that I receive in every single city and event around the world.
‘That means everything to me, so I am very [much] looking forward to 2023 to share a lot of positive things again. See you soon.’
Nadal’s award comes following the retirement of his great rival Federer. The legendary Swiss tennis player announced he would be quitting the sport in September of this year at the age of 41, insisting that his body had told him his time was up.
Previously Federer had won the ATP Tour Fans Favourite award every year from 2003 all the way through to 2021 in a remarkable show of his longevity.
Advertisement