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ATP World Tour: Rafael Nadal is officially the world No. 1

By Maxwell Ogden

MASON, OH - AUGUST 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during Day 7 of the Western and Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
MASON, OH - AUGUST 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during Day 7 of the Western and Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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After three years of trials and tribulations, 15-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has made a triumphant return to No. 1 on the ATP World Tour.

Few players have endured more over the course of the past three years than Rafael Nadal. One of the greatest players in the history of tennis, Nadal has been overcome by injuries during what was shaping up to be the most dominant run of his already brilliant career.

After three years of struggling to get back to the level that he’d become accustomed to playing at, the wait is finally over.

Nadal, now 31 years of age, is in the midst of one of the better years of his career. He’s set records at a number of different tournaments, reached the finals at two Grand Slam events, and thus reestablished himself as the best in the world.

That was made official when Nadal officially returned to his perch as the No. 1 overall player on the ATP World Tour.

This has been a long time coming and an honor that’s been earned with blood, sweat, and tears—quite literally in Nadal’s case.

Nadal has been building towards No. 1 since 2016, but he took his game to another level in 2017. Nadal won his record 10th career titles at the French Open, Barcelona Open, and Monte Carlo, as well as his record fifth career title in Madrid.

He also reached the final at the Australian Open and the Miami Open, as well as the quarterfinals at the Masters 1000 tournaments in Rome and Cincinnati.

All in all, it’s been a remarkable year for Nadal, who continues to display the resilience that’s made him an all-time great.

There will be no rest for the wicked, as Nadal will have to defend his No. 1 status at the US Open. He’ll enter the event as a favorite to win it all, primarily due to his two US Open titles, his world No. 1 ranking, and his two Grand Slam finals appearances in 2017 alone.

The question is: Can Nadal end the Grand Slam season with a title that would wholeheartedly justify his return to No. 1?

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Until then, one can’t help but applaud Rafael Nadal for overcoming his trials and tribulations to return to No. 1 on the ATP World Tour.

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