Reflecting on Nadal's 2017 season

Rafael Nadal’s season hasn't ended the way he would have hoped, with a knee injury and fatigue leading him to pull the plug  after just one match at the ATP Finals. But he has plenty to take solace in as he looks ahead to 2018.

Finishing the year with a 67-11 record, Nadal captured six titles, including two more Grand Slams to put him just behind Roger Federer with 16. Most importantly, for long stretches of the season, he looked like the tenacious old Rafa.

Here’s a look back at the biggest moments of his season:

1

The Australian Open final

Nadal might have lost the match, but on this night, there could be no real losers, as “fire and ice” were reunited for their first Grand Slam Final since the French Open in 2011. It was easily one of the most anticipated matches in history. Nadal and Federer didn’t disappoint, with scintillating shot-making and a drama-filled five sets of breathtaking tennis.

2

A 17-match win streak

After an average spring hardcourt season, Nadal reminded everyone that beating him on clay is still the tallest task in sports. He went on a tear, winning 17 matches in a row and capturing titles in Monte Carlo (where he became the first man in the Open era to win any event 10 times), Barcelona and Madrid. His streak was halted by Dominic Thiem in Rome. But it didn’t take long for Nadal to put that one behind him and set his sights on a tenth French Open title.

3

La Décima

Nadal’s opponent in the French Open final, Stan Wawrinka, had beaten him in their only major final encounter (the 2014 Australian Open) and had won in Paris before (in 2015). Going into the match, there was talk that “Stanimal” could pose a serious threat to Nadal’s bid for a tenth French Open title. And then the match began.

Nadal mercilessly dispatched Wawrinka in straight sets to become the first person in the Open era to win 10 titles in a single Slam.

4

Becoming world No.1 again

When Federer withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters, Nadal reached the world No. 1 ranking for the fourth time in his illustrious career. He’d hang on to finish as the year-end No. 1, too, also for the fourth time.

5

The US Open title

Nadal cruised to his 16th Grand Slam title with a straightforward path to the final, and a straight sets victory over Kevin Anderson. The fact that he was the last man standing at the year’s last major showed just how far Nadal had come from the injuries that had plagued him in recent seasons.

6

The Laver Cup

The glittering success of the first-ever Laver Cup had everything to do with Nadal’s enthusiasm and support for the event, led by Federer. Of course, it delivered the “Fedal” doubles partnership that no one realized they were clamoring for until they got to witness it.

Here's hoping Nadal is healthy enough to compete at the Australian Open.