10 most significant records created by Rafael Nadal in the decade that was 2010-2019

Modified Dec 28, 2019 15:21 GMT

#5 First player to win 10 titles at a claycourt tournament

Nadal celebrates his 10th Monte Carlo title in 2017

Following his first defeat to Roger Federer at a Grand Slam tournament in over a decade (2017 Australian Open final), Nadal endured further final reverses - Acapulco (Sam Querrey) and Miami (Federer) - before lifting his first title of the season at Monte Carlo.

With his 10th triumph at the tournament, Nadal became the first player to win 10 titles at a claycourt event. The Spaniard would then go on to complete a 'La Decima' of titles at two further tournaments - Barcelona and Roland Garros - later in the season, and would complete his respective 'undecimas' at the three tournaments in 2018.

#6 Second player to win a Grand Slam thrice without dropping a set

Nadal exults after winning his 10th French Open title in 2017

Nadal repeated his runs of 2008 and 2010 seven seasons later at the same tournament as he won 2017 Roland Garros without dropping a set.

That made the Spaniard the only player after Bjorn Borg in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam tournament without dropping a set on three separate occasions.

Roger Federer (2007 Australian Open, 2017 Wimbledon) is the only one to do so multiple times since tennis opened its doors to professionals in the summer of 1968.

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Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 18 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Musab Abid