Rafael Nadal completed an even split of the 2017 men’s Grand Slam loot with Roger Federer.
Nadal, back at No. 1 at age 31, underscored his resurgence by defeating Kevin Anderson of South Africa, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, in the United States Open singles final on Sunday.
It was Nadal’s third U.S. Open championship and his first since 2013. It was also his first title in a hardcourt tournament since January 2014.
But Nadal, with his innate competitive streak, is much more about confronting today’s challenges than obsessing over the past, and this triumphant season has been a testimony to his uncommon resilience and drive.