Can Rafael Nadal finish the 2022 season undefeated at Grand Slams?

| by Balasz Virag

Rafael Nadal is yet to lose a match at a Grand Slam in 2022 despite withdrawing from his semifinal match against Nick Kyrgios at the 2022 Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic was almost unstoppable in 2021 when he almost completed the Calendar Slam. Yet, the Serbian was stopped by Daniil Medvedev in the final of the US Open. This year, Rafael Nadal started the season perfectly as he triumphed at the Australian Open as well as the Roland Garros.

However, a few weeks after his 22nd Grand Slam title, the Spaniard was stopped by an injury at the 2022 Wimbledon and so was his chance of completing a Calendar Slam. Despite pulling out of the tournament, Nadal can still finish the 2022 season without losing a match at Grand Slam tournaments.

"I thought Jimmy Connors tried hard until I saw Rafael Nadal" - McEnroe on Nadal's fighting spirit
"I thought Jimmy Connors tried hard until I saw Rafael Nadal" - McEnroe on Nadal's fighting spirit

But is he able to win the 2022 US Open. Although it seemed that Rafael Nadal won’t add many other Grand Slam trophies outside of the Parisian clay, he proved everyone wrong at the 2019 US Open as well as the 2022 Australian Open. The first Grand Slam of the season was played only a few months ago, but a lot changed since.

Carlos Alcaraz emerged as a player capable of beating anyone anytime and he might cause a lot of problems in the Flushing Meadows. Daniil Medvedev is motivated to defend his title at the US Open, especially after being unable to play the Wimbledon and everyone knows how dangerous is the Russian in the second part of the season.

WATCH: Rafael Nadal's first practice on hard court, hopeful for 2022 US Open
WATCH: Rafael Nadal's first practice on hard court, hopeful for 2022 US Open

Moreover, Nick Kyrgios reached his maiden Grand Slam final and he can be much more confident when entering the New York draw. And there are many more names that miss a Grand Slam title in their cabinet that would like to change that at the 2022 US Open.

Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner, Felix Auger-Aliassime and many more are capable of stopping the Spaniard from finishing the season unbeaten at Grand Slam tournaments.

Eventually, the 2022 US Open can end in many ways. Nadal might not be able to fight his injury and withdraw from the tournament, or he might surprise everyone and win his second hard-court Grand Slam tournament of the season.

"The one who wins is the one with most talent" - says Rafael Nadal
"The one who wins is the one with most talent" - says Rafael Nadal

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