Rafael Nadal wanted to snatch the next Grand Slam title. But nothing came of it: The Spaniard was eliminated early in the round of 16 at the US Open.
The dream of a 23rd Grand Slam title is over: Rafael Nadal has failed in the last 16 of the US Open. The 4:6, 6:4, 4:6, 3:6 defeat against the US American Frances Tiafoe also puts a question mark behind the Spaniard’s possible leap to the top of the world rankings. Norwegian Casper Ruud and Nadal’s compatriot Carlos Alcaraz could overtake the veteran with a final appearance in New York.
On Instagram, Nadel wrote: “It’s always a sad feeling to leave this amazing stadium with a loss. But … Frances played better. Congratulations!”
Nadal’s winning streak ended
Nadal, who won titles in Melbourne and Paris this year, also has to accept the end of his strong streak after 22 successful matches at majors this year. At Wimbledon he was unable to play his semi-final match due to an abdominal muscle injury. In the eternal Grand Slam rankings, he still has 22 trophies, ahead of Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (21 major titles) and Switzerland’s Roger Federer (20).
The big-hitting Tiafoe made it to the last eight at a Grand Slam for the second time in his career, following 2019 at the Australian Open. At 24, he is the youngest US player to reach the quarter-finals at the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2006. His next opponent is Russian Andrei Rublev.
