Rafael Nadal receives DEX Leyenda Award

For Rafael Nadal, 2020 was a very challenging year, as for the entire planet. The Spaniard gave his best on and off the court, seeking new tennis records while taking care of his pupils and helping those who have struggled the most during the coronavirus pandemic. Rafa and his great friend Pau Gasol had embraced a massive campaign with the Spanish Red Cross, gathering money for the families who needed help and trying to make their lives at least a bit easier in difficult times. Bundled with his on-court success, Rafa has received numerous national honors in the last couple of weeks, including the most recent DEX Leyenda Award. Nadal finishes the season in the top-2 for the record-breaking 12th time, winning two ATP titles and writing another history book page following his Roland Garros triumph.

The Spaniard lost the ATP throne to Novak Djokovic after the Australian Open, bouncing back in Acapulco to lift the 85th ATP crown just before the coronavirus outbreak. Rafa spent the next six and a half months at home in Mallorca, staying away from the court in March and April and returning to it in May.

Rafael Nadal won DEX Leyenda Award.

Working on clay, Nadal decided to skip Cincinnati and the US Open, staying on the slowest surface and setting eyes on Rome and Roland Garros. In the Italian capital, Nadal failed to defend the crown following a straight-sets defeat to Diego Schwartzman, hoping for a better run at his beloved Major. Producing his A-game, Nadal conquered the 13th Roland Garros crown in great style, beating all seven rivals without losing a set to join Roger Federer on 20 Major trophies. Nadal finished the season with a back-to-back semi-final run at the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals, serving for the victory against Daniil Medvedev in London but falling in three sets.

"I have been trying my whole life to transmit positive values; they have tried to educate me, and I hope they are values ​​that help some young people to grow appropriately. We try to instill the appropriate values ​​for the personal and professional development of children who have an uncertain future. Since the Academy's opening, we have been trying to help children develop their maximum tennis talents and prepare them for future education. I want to dedicate the award to all the people who have directly suffered the virus' impact, those who have lost someone important, and all these people suffering from it every day both at the health and economic level. Rami, thank you very much for your words and also thanks to Santander for the unconditional support that you give me," Rafael Nadal said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/38sEflO