Not even pulling out of the Paris Masters due to a knee injury can spoil what has been a phenomenal year for Rafa Nadal. 12 months ago it would’ve seemed hugely incomprehensible to suggest Rafa might go on to win two Grand Slams and finish 2017 as world number one.
A wrist injury seriously hampered his chances of silverware last season, as the Spaniard pulled out of the French Open and missed Wimbledon before bringing his campaign to an early close in October.
However, Nadal showed great determination and character to bounce back from a lengthy spell away from the tennis court, making it to the final of the Australian Open before eventually succumbing to old nemesis Roger Federer.
The way Nadal beat top 10 ranked players like Milos Raonic on the way to the final and then took Federer all the way in a five-set thriller just after a major injury showed how quickly he was returning to his best.
First gaining notoriety for his supreme ability on clay all eyes were on Nadal ahead of the 2017 French Open as he was aiming to win a first title at Roland Garros in three years – He had previously enjoyed total domination at the event being crowned French Open champion nine times in the past decade.
2017: Rafa Nadal has it again 💪
There was no sign that the pressure was ever too much for Nadal, who didn’t drop a single set on route to a 10th French Open crown.
As well as utilizing a notoriously deadly forehand he also found joy with the backhand alongside a much improved serve.
Three years without a Grand Slam for such an esteemed player like Nadal was highly unusual and so a return to winning ways at major tournaments proved a hugely significant moment.
The performance at Wimbledon was a major shock, being knocked out by Gilles Muller in the last 16 after an epic five-set encounter.
After making a terrible start to the game Nadal showed tremendous character and resilience, coming back from two sets down but Muller put in an outstanding performance and was too much for the three-time Wimbledon champion.
Despite the shock exit the way Nadal had been playing demonstrated how much of a ferocious competitor he is and certainly provided more evidence that troublesome wrist injury was firmly behind him.
Determined not to let frustrations at the All England Club hamper his progress for the rest of the season Nadal went on to claim the final Grand Slam in a calendar year, beating Kevin Anderson to win the US Open.
Before the tournament had even begun, a number of the world’s top ten players pulled out through injury, the most notable absentees including Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and the 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka.
Despite some prominent opponents unable to take to the court Nadal still looked in an incredibly ruthless mood, clearing a way to the final with relative ease including dispatching of Juan Martin Del Potro in the semi-final.
The Argentine had early defeated Federer in the last eight and was in great form going into the clash but Nadal was just physically stronger and dragged Del Potro all over the court.
Taking just under two-and-a-half hours to secure a 16th Grand Slam title was also a brilliant reflection of just how clinical he was in New York, making full use of his thunderous serve to overcome Anderson.
Finishing as world number one for the fourth time in his career is a great way to conclude what has been an excellent season for the resurgent Nadal.
At the age of 31 the signs of him continuing to be a hugely dominant force in men’s tennis show no sign of slowing down.
The way he came back from a number of injury-plagued years and performed so efficiently and with such energy is perhaps the best indicator to why his mental resilience will always make him a highly-feared opponent.
