Seventeen years ago, Rafael Nadal became the 24th world no. 1 in ATP history. On August 18, 2008, the 22-year-old ended Roger Federer's reign on the ATP throne after four and a half years, earning his place in history books.
At 22 years and two months, Rafa became the ninth-youngest world no. 1, working hard for that achievement in the previous three years. Nadal had been nothing but spectacular during that period.
In 2005, the Mallorcan became the most accomplished teenager since the 1980s. He established himself as the second-strongest link on the Tour behind Roger and his most dangerous rival.
The Spaniard and the Swiss were the dominant forces that season, sharing 22 ATP titles and conquering three Majors and eight Masters 1000 trophies. It was Nadal's first year-end top-2 season, and the second followed in 2006.
The young gun improved his game on grass and challenged the Swiss in the Wimbledon final, while extending his domination on clay. Rafa spent another season behind Roger in 2007, losing another Wimbledon final while extending his Roland Garros streak.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the Swiss started to slow down in 2008. Eventually, he lost the ATP throne to Nadal in August after keeping it for mind-blowing 237 weeks. The Spaniard lost the Miami final and reached the semi-final at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
The king of clay conquered Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Hamburg and Roland Garros, celebrating in Paris for the fourth straight year and mounting the pressure on Federer.
After two straight defeats in the Wimbledon finals, Nadal finally went all the way following a memorable title clash against his greatest rival, prevailing after a five-setter and writing tennis history.
Not stopping there, the 22-year-old lifted another trophy in Toronto, embracing a 29-win streak and moving closer to the ATP throne. Roger fell to Gilles Simon in the second round and experienced another setback in Cincinnati.
ADVERTISEMENT
On August 11, Federer stood 25 ATP points ahead of Nadal but it all changed a week later, with the Spaniard becoming the 24th world no. 1. In the meanwhile, Rafa conquered the Olympic Games singles gold medal for Spain, which made his success even greater.
Nadal would reach the US Open semi-final and enter only two tournaments by the end of the season. However, it was enough to keep Roger behind and embrace his first year-end no. 1 season at 22.
Rafa would spend 209 weeks as world no. 1, accomplishing the sixth-best result since 1973. That summer of 2008 remains a defining moment of his career, culminating with the day when he finally dethroned Roger Federer.
