How Rafael Nadal 'won' the US Open 2022 without winning the title

Rafael Nadal’s influence across all the 2022 US Open fields is clear to see. With Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, Martin Landaluce, Alexandra Eala and Martin de la Puente making it to the final in their respective categories, you can’t help but notice one common factor – Rafael Nadal.

Nadal himself has had a formidable run at the Grand Slams this year. The 22-time Major winner exceeded his own expectations by winning a second Australian Open title in January. He followed up that success by claiming his 14th French Open title.

At Wimbledon, Nadal fought his way through to the semifinals but withdrew from the final four citing an abdominal tear. The fourth-round US Open loss against Frances Tiafoe aside, the Spaniard has been almost impossible to beat at the Majors in 2022.

Nadal’s success on the big stage is a testament to his work ethic - a work ethic he is imparting oh-so effectively to his students and admirers alike.

The veteran Spaniard’s ambition and vigor have always been the subject of careful study. Having entered the sporting scene at a very young age, Nadal went on to win his first Grand Slam title at the 2005 French Open, aged just 19 years and two days.

He earned many accolades soon after that, and observers were quick to predict that the Mallorcan was going to have an extraordinary career. Nadal's resilience, grit, and willingness to play every point with full intensity was what set him apart from the rest.

His qualities can now be seen seeping into the younger generations too. Rafael Nadal’s tennis academy in Mallorca, which was established in late 2016, has already started producing ground-breaking results.

Alexandra Eala, a student at the Rafa Nadal Academy, was crowned the US Open girls’ champion on Saturday. In the process, she also became the first player from the Philippines to win a Slam.

At her post-match press conference, Eala spoke about idolizing Nadal and her acceptance into his academy.

“Well, I think my idol is obviously Rafa. But I'm not just saying that because I'm in his academy (laughter). No, he's a very good role model, something a lot of people should idolize and try to be. I won a tournament a couple years ago, maybe three years ago, in France. The academy reached out to my parents. After a while, long discussions, we decided that I would be based there,” she said.

Martin Landaluce, yet another of Rafael Nadal’s pupils, was crowned the US Open boys’ champion. Hailing from Spain, the teenager credited the King of Clay for the country’s success in the sport.

"I think in part is the mentality we have like a country. We are fighters. Especially I think we have had Rafa Nadal, one of the best persons, best examples of sport management. He's my idol since I've been playing. I think for many people he's such an inspiration," Landaluce said.

In wheelchair tennis, Martin de la Puente lifted the US Open men’s doubles title. The young Spaniard mentioned Rafael Nadal as one of the players he looks up to and tries to emulate.

"Everyone wanted to be the next Rafael Nadal or Juan Martin del Potro in the wheelchair. But they (draws) were too small. The slams are giving us the opportunity to be tennis players, be the ones that we want to,” he remarked.

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Rafael Nadal's protégé Casper Ruud, along with his fans Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, succeed big time at the US Open

Casper Ruud has produced outstanding results since joining the Rafa Nadal Academy. The 23-year-old already has nine titles to his name and has finished as the runner-up at this year’s French Open and most recently the US Open.

Ruud has now leapfrogged Rafael Nadal to become the new World No. 2.

Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, defeated Ruud in the US Open final to claim his first Grand Slam title and also the World No. 1 ranking. He is the youngest player in ATP history to reach the peak position.

Alcaraz has been compared to his older compatriot ever since he first grabbed the limelight. Although the 19-year-old is scripting his own history, the similarities in their approach to the sport are indisputable.

Speaking about the young Spaniard, Rafael Nadal’s former coach and uncle Toni Nadal stated that Alcaraz shows the same intensity as his legendary nephew.

"Carlos' intensity and speed is something you rarely see. His game follows the same path as Rafa; he never gives up until the last ball and has that characteristic intensity," Toni Nadal said.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has already established herself as an indomitable player on the WTA tour, winning three Grand Slams - two of which came this year. The 21-year-old’s US Open title proved that she is ready to conquer even when not playing at her best.

Swiatek, a self-proclaimed fan of Rafael Nadal's, has taken inspiration from the Spaniard in this regard.

“It is incredible what he does, I have seen the Australian Open final live and I have been able to see all the work he does to stay competitive at the highest level. Sometimes, even if he's not playing the best tennis, he can pull himself out of tough situations. Rafael Nadal is a great inspiration for me and the way he deals with injuries is also extraordinary for me,” Swiatek has stated.

Although Nadal failed to lift the singles title at the 2022 US Open, in many ways he ended up as the winner. Even when the Spaniard is long retired from the sport, his success and attitude will likely continue to influence and inspire countless other players.

Also Check out:- US Open 2022 Results