#4 Rafael Nadal
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After a string of inconsistent performances in the last two years, Rafa has redeemed himself through some brilliant performances this year. Nadal began his year by winning the non-ATP affiliated Mubadala title which was followed by a runner-up performance at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open where he was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the final.
After a disappointing maiden first round exit at the Australian Open, Nadal won his 28th Masters title in April after defeating Gael Monfils in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters which was followed by his 17th ATP 500 title at the Barcelona Open which was also his 49th clay-court title that put him level with Argentine Guillermo Vilas for the most number of clay-court titles in the Open Era.
Nadal reached the semi-finals of the Mutua Madrid Open which was followed by a quarter-final exit at the Italian Open at the hands of Novak Djokovic.
The Spaniard had a disappointing French Open where he had to withdraw from his third round match against Marcel Granollers owing to a wrist injury which eventually led him to pull out of the Wimbledon Championships. However, he came back strong at the Rio Olympics where he reached the semi-finals of the Singles tournament before losing to eventual silver medalist Juan Martin Del Potro. He also lost to Kei Nishikori in the bronze medal playoff.
Nadal’s gold medal in the Doubles tournament alongside Marc Lopez made him only the second man to have won gold medals in both the Singles and Doubles tournaments at the Olympics. Nadal had a good start to the US Open but was beaten by a resilient Lucas Pouille in the fourth round.
Nadal is ranked seventh based on this year’s performances and his form post-Roland Garros has been decent. He is gradually raising his game and if things keep on going his way, then Nadal might even be one of the favorites heading into the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
