Legend takes precedence. Rafael Nadal is the ITF’s tennis player of the year, but he’s not the world number one

They both had an absolutely breathtaking year. Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are in a massive battle for the world number one position. Towards the end of the year, the younger successor of the great clay legend was more successful. Surprisingly, Alcaraz did not win the ITF Player of the Year poll, but he need not be too sorry.

It’s only recently that tennis natural Carlos Alcaraz has been considered the successor to Rafael Nadal. But we know these comparisons, it’s the performances on the courts that are crucial.

Under the guidance of coach Juan Carlos Ferrer, the young Spaniard was able to get within sight of the world’s top players extremely quickly, and in September he became the youngest ever world number one.

Alcaraz has won five titles on the circuit this year. The most valuable trophy he won was the US Open. All this at just 19 years old, which is truly admirable. But even that wasn’t enough for the Spanish youngster to win the ITF Player of the Season award.

The victory went to the king of clay, Nadal, despite the fact that he is only the world number two. He won the Player of the Year award for the fifth time in his career. The first time was in 2008, and the ITF organization also awarded Nadal in 2010, 2017 and 2019.

But the award this year was not given to the Manacor native by chance. This year, he managed to win two Grand Slams and added two victories in ATP tournaments. In total, he played 49 matches in which he managed to win 40 matches.

In comparison, Alcaraz ended the season with a record of 57 wins and 17 losses. The ITF thus broke the tradition that the best player of the year award goes to the current world number one. A similar scenario played out in 2013.

Back then, Nadal was overlooked by the ITF and dominated ten events. But Novak Djokovic even with seven benefited from winning three Masters tournaments and the Tournament of Champions.

But Alcaraz may not be too sorry about his omission with the ITF organization. He made up for it by being named Player of the Year by the ATP, plus he made the biggest jump of the year, rising from 32nd in the world rankings.

Thus, one of the best tennis players in the world – Djokovic – was left out of these awards for the first time in a long time. But unlike the two Spanish stars, he was unable to compete in half of the biggest tournaments of the season.

Not to forget the women’s category. That, by the way, was dominated by the sovereign Polish Iga Swiatek. She has dominated eight major tournaments, including triumphs at Roland Garros and the US Open. She was the first Polish tennis player in history to win the prize.

Sources