Making history in a hurry

It has been known for some time that Rafael Nadal will be regarded as one of the best clay court players the game has ever seen. But after one of the finest seasons of the Open Era, can there be any doubt that Rafa is destined to become an all-time great?

`Actually I walked up to Rafael Nadal. And he is probably my favorite tennis player to watch and I walked up to him and I was like, `I just want to meet you and don`t take a picture or anything, I just want to meet you.` And I told him, `I watch you all the time when you play tennis and I love watching you play tennis.` I told him good luck.` — swimmer Michael Phelps, winner of eight Olympic gold medals in Beijing.

Demonstrating the same tidal wave force with which he overwhelms his opponents, Rafael Nadal has sprinted his way into history.

At 15, he won his first ATP match.

At 17, he became the youngest man since Boris Becker to reach the third round of Wimbledon.

At 19, he became the first man in more than 20 years to win the Roland Garros title on his main draw debut.

His pace accelerated in 2008. Amazingly, Nadal did not win his first tournament of the year until April 27. Capturing his fourth straight Masters Series Monte Carlo title that day with a win over Roger Federer, Nadal commenced a tri-continental performance that will leave tennis aficionados dazzled for years to come.

In just under four months, he won eight tournaments, wracking up a 48-2 record and a 32-match winning streak highlighted by victories at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Just prior to the US Open, Nadal took over the World No 1 ranking from Federer.

Text: Joel Drucker, Deuce Magazine/ATPTennis.com

Image: Nadal seen here at the Burj, Dubai, the world’s tallest building.

Photo Courtesy: Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships