Tennis Update: Rafael Nadal wins in Spanish polls
World number one Rafael Nadal added another accolade to his already decorated 2010 season today when he was voted the best sportsman of the decade in a Spanish poll.
Though one could argue that Nadal won because of the home advantage, it goes to say without a doubt that Nadal enjoyed one of his best seasons in the year 2010. Nadal was chosen as the ‘Spanish Sportsman of the Decade’ in a poll
by a Spanish website. Another poll on a different website chose him as the ‘Best Spanish Athlete of the Year’.
Nadal won both polls by an overwhelming majority. This comes as a great achievement to the 24-year-old Spaniard, as he was pitted against sport icons like NBA star Pau Gasol and Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso.
Nadal’s win in the polls only adds to his list of achievements and honours for the year. Only a week ago, Nadal was honoured with the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year in a ceremony held at Birmingham, England.
This was Nadal’s second award for the season, having won the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship award at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals previously. Nadal was chosen for this award by six other players in the field of elite eight.
Nadal has also been nominated for the coveted 2011 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and the America’s Sports University Awards.
Owing to the seven titles and two finals appearances, Nadal also lifted the trophy for ending the year as the number one in the ATP rankings. Dominating at the Grand Slams in the year, Nadal won the titles at the Roland Garros,
Wimbledon and the United States Open. He also won the crowns at three Masters events: Monte-Carlo, Rome and Madrid. Nadal also made a final appearance at Doha.
Winning the United States Open, Nadal completed his Career Grand Slam and also became the second male since Andre Agassi to achieve this feat.
Ranked first in the world, Nadal was part of the elite eight main field at the season finale event in London. Moving past Novak Djokovic, Tomas Berdych, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray, Nadal found himself in the finals. However,
he lost the title to Roger Federer.
After a successful and much decorated 2010 season, Nadal hopes to not only defend his Grand Slam titles in 2011, but also maintain his number one spot. He will kick off his ATP regular season at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at Doha.
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