Rafael Nadal thrashed Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to win the US Open on Sunday, earning himself a second grand slam title of the season and 16th of his career so far. The win also helped Nadal to consolidate his position as World No.1 player.
The Spaniard, the champion also in New York in 2010 and 2013, added the US title to the record 10th French Open he captured in June.
Old rival Roger Federer won the season’s other two Slams at the Australian Open, beating Nadal in the final, and Wimbledon in an illustration of the two Grand Slam greats’ enduring appeal and power.
Nadal’s Grand Slam tally is just three behind Federer’s record 19.
For Nadal, it was his fifth title of the year and 74th of his career while the $3.7 million (3.07 euros) winner’s prize boosted his earnings to a shade under $90 million.
Congratulatory messages poured in on Twitter after the Spaniard clinched his 16th Grand Slam title.
Hoisting a Grand Slam trophy for the 16th time…
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@RafaelNadal #USOpen pic.twitter.com/UAvcsP7MAG— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017
🇺🇸🏆🎾 #USOpen
Congratulations to @RafaelNadal, our honorary member, for winning his 16th Grand Slam title!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/hjq7b8jVYb— Real Madrid C.F.🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) September 10, 2017