Rafael Nadal - Tennis Express

Tennis Express 2009 RSI Retailer of the Year

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2009 started off great for Nadal, he defeated rival Roger Federer in the Australian Open further cementing his #1 ranking that he took. However, he was upset at Roland Garros in the semifinals by Robin Soderling, thus ending his clay-court winning streak. Tendinitis in both knees caused him to withhold from defending his Wimbeldon crown. Nadal's clay-court winning streak of 82 consecutive matches has set the record for the longest winning streak on a single surface. He was the first person since Bjorn Borg to win three consecutive French Open singles titles. Rafael Nadal has become the chief rival of Roger Federer. He is the only player to beat World number 1. Roger Federer in a Grand Slam singles final. Nadal was ranked world #2 (behind Roger Federer) for a record 160 consecutive weeks. On August 18, 2008, Nadal finally became ranked #1 in the world, dethroning Federer and breaking his record consecutive streak at #1. Nadal's 4 consecutive French Open titles have kept Federer from winning all 4 Grand Slams in one year.