This result means that Nadal has now won 29 consecutive Davis Cup matches in the singles. And it is a similar story in the doubles. To find his last defeat there we have to go back to 2005 when he lost a pairs match against the Italian duo of Daniele Bracciali and Giorgio Galimberti alongside Feliciano López (6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-4, 9-7).
This season in Madrid, the Spaniard once again demonstrated his competitive dominance. In the singles he beat Khachanov (RUS), Gojo (CRO), Schwartzman (ARG), Evans (GBR) and Shapovalov (CAN), while in the doubles he saw off Dodig/Pavic (CRO) with Marcel Granollers, González/Mayer (ARG) also with Granollers and Murray/Skupski (GBR) with Feliciano López.
The result gives him his fifth title in the competition, well ahead of the following countries with the most trophies since 2000: France (2001, 2017), Croatia (2005, 2018) and the Czech Republic (2012, 2013) with two crowns each. For their part, Russia (2002), Australia (2003), the USA (2007), Serbia (2010), Switzerland (2014), GB (2015) and Argentina (2016) have each won it once, giving real perspective to the Mallorcan’s achievement.
And it is a tangible feat for anyone who wants to make the trip to the Rafa Nadal Museum, which now houses a trophy that all the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar players have already had the chance to see.
Apart from being Nadal’s fifth Davis Cup, it also represents a magic number; it is the 100th title he has lifted in his career. To the 84 singles trophies he has earned, and the 11 in doubles, he can now add five Davis Cups. This century of wins puts him in the select company of John McEnroe (160), Mike Bryan (128), Jimmy Connors (126), Bob Bryan (126), Roger Federer (112), Ilie Nastase (107), Stan Smith (102) and Ivan Lendl (101).
It is true that Nadal shares 5 Davis Cup titles with Feliciano López and there are two other Spaniards who have won more matches than him in the competition: Manolo Santana (69) and Manuel Orantes (39). But nobody in the Open Era has won more Salad Bowls. To find players with more trophies to their name you have to go all the way back to the days of black and white, with Roy Emerson (8), Fraser (7), Johnson (7), Smith (7), Tilden (7), Norris Williams (7), Borotra (6) and Cochet (6). It is yet another example of the extraordinary legend Nadal is building himself, in both individual and team events.
Train hardPlay Safe The facilities of the Academy have been adapted to comply with the safety and hygiene protocols established by health authorities. Thanks to synergy with QuirónSalud (healthcare partner of the Academy) the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar has been considered a success story by the press and international institutions, and an example of safety and trust thanks to its management during the health crisis caused by COVID-19.
It has also obtained the seal "Safe COVID-19 Protocol by Quirónsalud" issued by Applus +. This seal certifies the quality and efficiency of the Academy's work processes to guarantee the safety and well-being of all its players. We are very proud of our human team, which has obtained the experience and knowledge necessary to develop a protocol that guarantees a safe stay and sports practice in our facilities.
To guarantee a safe environment, all players and guests of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar must comply with the health measures approved by the Government of the Balearic Islands, which include restrictions on the entry of passengers to Mallorca.
The preventive measures associated with the current pandemic for our players enrolled in the Junior Programs will be confirmed by the Players Desk team before the arrival of the players and their families, according to the context upon arrival.
Below are some of the safety measures that have been implemented to prevent COVID-19 contagion:
- The facilities of the Academy have been adapted to comply with the safety and hygiene protocols established by health authorities. Increased frequency of disinfection and general cleaning, limitation of capacity in communal areas and the design of circuits guaranteeing the minimum safe distance are some of the measures which make up the protocol which has already been successfully implemented.
- Our team has received comprehensive training, allowing them to apply the protocols for safety and prevention of infection recommended in each area of action. They are also responsible for teaching young people, conveying the importance of respecting the stipulated measures to keep them and others healthy.
- All our clients must respect the health measures implemented in the installation. Frequent disinfection of hands and the use of masks in areas where minimum safe distances cannot be guaranteed is obligatory.
- At the Rafa Nadal Academy we have the collaboration of QuirónSalud, a medical centre of reference in Spain, for the implementation of health protocols and assistance for players who need to visit a medical specialist.
- Over the last few months, the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar has been considered a success story by the press and international institutions, and an example of safety and trust. During the health crisis, the Academy established safety protocols which allowed the health of the 93 young people who were confined in its facilities to be safeguarded.
Certified protocol against COVID-19 APPlus+: