Storyline: Rafael Nadal has won ten doubles matches in a row. Don’t be surprised to see him add to his trophy collection on the doubles court. Written by Scott Brown, Connecticut College.
Rafael Nadal may have been disappointed by his 2016 season because he didn’t meet high expectations that the tennis world had set for him in singles. But his doubles play has exceeded expectations — even though that play has flown under the radar.
Nadal and Lopez take Gold (photo, Mirror)
RAFA’s biggest title this season was his Doubles Gold Medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic games, won with partner Marc Lopez. And winning the gold was no easy task.
Nadal saw off four doubles Grand Slam champions–Jean-Julien Rojer, Vasek Pospisil, Daniel Nestor, and Horia Tecau–including an intense, heart-stopping final that went three sets. Of course, RAFA didn’t do this alone. His accomplice, Marc Lopez. Lopez is the reigning French Open champ, who also holds 13 doubles titles.
At the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing he furthered his doubles success by winning the title with a new partner, Pablo Carreno Busta. At that tournament the two Spaniards saw off 5 doubles Grand Slams champs, including the Bryan brothers, who have won 112 titles and 16 Grand Slams.
With these two titles and a Davis Cup doubles win, Rafael Nadal has won ten doubles matches in a row. Though we hope to see RAFA regain his singles form, don’t be surprised to see him add to his trophy collection on the doubles court.
