Rafael Nadal is among the nominees for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. The winner of 22 major tournaments is in the running for his third Laureus award, two years after winning the second in 2021.
Rafa had a great run at the Majors in 2022, winning the Australian Open and a stunning 14th Roland Garros, the title that earned him a Laureus nomination
. Nadal will challenge Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Max Verstappen, Stephen Curry and Mondo Duplantis for the prestigious prize.
Rafa finished the previous year in the top 2, just after his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal thus became the oldest player in the top 2 of the year in the history of the ATP rankings, stealing the record from Roger Federer.
Rafa won back-to-back major titles in Melbourne and Paris and became the only player to hold 22 major titles. Nadal missed the second half of 2021 due to foot problems and made a perfect comeback last season.
The veteran endured every obstacle at the Australian Open.
He came from 6-2, 7-6, 3-2, 40-0 down to Daniil Medvedev in the final to lift Melbourne Park’s first trophy in 13 years.
Rafa conquered Acapulco in February and reached the Indian Wells final for a perfect start to the season with 20 straight wins. However, the Spaniard broke a rib, lost the title match to Taylor Fritz and missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
Rafa returned to action in Madrid and Rome, but not at his best.
Rafael Nadal is in the running for the Laureus award for world sportsman of the year
In addition, his foot bothered him again, the black clouds gathering above him before Roland Garros. Nadal needed injections before every game in Paris to ease the pain and compete at the desired level.
Rafa brought his magic to clay and beat Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud to win his 14th Roland Garros title and his 22nd Major! Nadal wanted even more at Wimbledon, seeking his first All England Club crown in 12 years.
The Spaniard reached the semi-final after an epic win over Taylor Fritz. However, the veteran revealed a seven millimeter abdominal tear which forced him to retire ahead of the clash with Nick Kyrgios.
Rafa played only nine games at the end of the season, won only four and failed to challenge for the world number one title. Nadal lost in the fourth round of the US Open and chained four consecutive defeats for the first time since the end of 2009!
Doing everything to end the losing streak, Rafa eliminated Casper Ruud in the last match of the season in Turinlooking forward to improving his form in 2023 and chasing important titles again.
