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.
Winner of the @usopen @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/RdsfTk1vKs
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) September 11, 2017
Felicitaciones @RafaelNadal! Merecido campeón. 👏
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) September 10, 2017
@RafaelNadal you are the best Spanish athlete in History!! #16thGrandSlam 🏆🐐🇪🇸
— Fernando Verdasco (@FerVerdasco) September 10, 2017
#Nadal reclaims world no.1 position, wins his 3rd #USopen and his 16th Grand Slam title.🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆What a year. Incredible!
— Pat Cash (@TheRealPatCash) September 10, 2017
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are the world’s top two players for the first time since March 2011:
1. Nadal – 9,4652. Federer – 7,505— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) September 10, 2017
Rog and Rafa sweeping the majors, two of the greatest ambassadors of our sport, surely the GOAT discussions must be put on hold for now ?🐐
— Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) September 11, 2017
Congratulations to @RafaelNadal on winning @usopen. Incredible athlete for all of us to keep getting inspired from. #VamosRafa
— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) September 11, 2017
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
“I can just say thank you very much to life for that opportunity.” -Rafael Nadal giving a rare but deserved shoutout to life itself. #usopen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 10, 2017
