2007 Rafael Nadal tennis season

Last updated
2007 Rafael Nadal tennis season
Full nameRafael Nadal Parera
CountryFlag of Spain.svg Spain
Calendar prize money$4,896,935 (Singles $4,862,310, Doubles $34,625) [1] [2]
Singles
Season record70–15
Calendar titles6
Year-end rankingNo. 2
Ranking change from previous yearSteady2.svg
Grand Slam & significant results
Australian Open QF
French Open W
Wimbledon F
US Open 4R
Injuries
InjuriesKnee Injury
2006
2008

The 2007 Rafael Nadal tennis season officially began on 1 January 2007 with the start of the Chennai Open. He won five titles, including one Major and three Masters.

Contents

Year summary

Rafael Nadal started the year by playing in six hard-court tournaments. He lost in the semifinals and first round of his first two tournaments and then lost in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open to eventual runner-up Fernando González. [3] After another quarterfinal loss at the Dubai Tennis Championships, he won the Indian Wells Masters after beating Novak Djokovic in the final, before losing to Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the 2007 Miami Masters. [4]

He played five clay-court tournaments in Europe after that, winning the titles at the Monte-Carlo Masters, the Torneo Godó in Barcelona, and the Italian Open, before losing to Roger Federer in the final of the Hamburg Masters. This defeat ended his 81-match winning streak on clay, which is the male Open Era record for consecutive wins on a single surface. [5] He bounced back quickly in the French Open, not dropping a set en route to the final where he faced Federer once again, this time winning in four sets to join Björn Borg as the only man to win three French Open titles in a row since 1914. [6]

Between the tournaments in Barcelona and Rome, Nadal defeated Federer in the "Battle of Surfaces" exhibition match in Mallorca, Spain, with the tennis court being half grass and half clay. [7] [8]

Nadal played the Artois Championships at the Queen's Club in London for the second consecutive year. As in 2006, Nadal was upset in the quarterfinals. Nadal then won consecutive five-set matches during the third and fourth rounds of Wimbledon before being beaten by Federer in the five-set final. This was Federer's first five-set match at Wimbledon since 2001. [9]

In July, Nadal beat the unseeded Stan Wawrinka in the final of the clay-court Stuttgart Open, which proved to be his last title of the year. [10] He played three important tournaments during the North American summer hard court season. He was a semifinalist at the Canadian Masters in Montreal before losing his first match at the Cincinnati Masters. [11] He was the second-seeded player at the US Open, but was defeated in the fourth round by David Ferrer, and spent the tournament dealing with a knee injury. [12] [13]

After a month-long break from tournament tennis, Nadal played the Madrid Masters in Madrid and the Paris Masters, but David Nalbandian beat him in straight sets in the quarterfinals and final of those tournaments. [14] To end the year, Nadal won two of his three-round robin matches to advance to the semifinals of the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, where Federer defeated him in straight sets. [15]

In addition, there were rumors at the end of the year that the foot injury he suffered during 2005, caused long-term damage, which were given credence by coach Toni Nadal's claim that the problem was "serious". Nadal and his spokesman strongly denied this, however, with Nadal himself calling the story "totally false". [13]

Singles matches

TournamentMatchRoundOpponentRankResultScore
Chennai Open
Chennai, India
ATP World Tour 250
Hard, outdoor
1–8 January 2007
1 / 2351R Flag of Germany.svg Rainer Schüttler 96
Win
6–4, 6–2
2 / 2362R Flag of India.svg Karan Rastogi 480
Win
6–4, 6–1
3 / 237QF Flag of Italy.svg Davide Sanguinetti 106
Win
6–3, 6–2
4 / 238SF Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Xavier Malisse 37
Loss
4–6, 6–7(4–7)
Medibank International
Sydney, Australia
ATP World Tour 250
Hard, outdoor
7–13 January 2007
5 / 2391R Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Guccione 107
Loss
5–6 RET
Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
15–28 January 2007
6 / 2401R Flag of the United States.svg Robert Kendrick 90
Win
7–6(8–6), 6–3, 6–2
7 / 2412R Flag of Germany.svg Philipp Kohlschreiber 61
Win
7–5, 6–3, 4–6, 6–2
8 / 2423R Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Stan Wawrinka 40
Win
6–2, 6–2, 6–2
9 / 2434R Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Murray 16
Win
6–7(3–7), 6–4, 4–6, 6–3, 6–1
10 / 244QF Flag of Chile.svg Fernando González 9
Loss
2–6, 4–6, 3–6
Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships
Dubai, UAE
ATP World Tour 500
Hard, outdoor
26 February 26 – 4 March 2007
11 / 2451R Flag of Cyprus.svg Marcos Baghdatis 17
Win
3–6, 6–2, 6–3
12 / 2462R Flag of Russia.svg Igor Andreev 139
Win
6–2, 3–6, 7–6(7–2)
13 / 247QF Flag of Russia.svg Mikhail Youzhny 18
Loss
6–7(5–7), 3–6
Pacific Life Open
Indian Wells, United States
ATP World Tour Masters 1000
Hard, outdoor
5–18 March 2007
1RBye
14 / 2482R Flag of France.svg Arnaud Clément 53
Win
6–3, 7–6(7–3)
15 / 2493R Flag of Spain.svg Fernando Verdasco 33
Win
6–4, 6–4
16 / 2504R Flag of Spain.svg Juan Carlos Ferrero 23
Win
6–1, 6–1
17 / 251QF Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Ignacio Chela 31
Win
7–5, 7–5
18 / 252SF Flag of the United States.svg Andy Roddick 3
Win
6–4, 6–3
19 / 253W Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic 13
Win (1)
6–2, 7–5
Sony Ericsson Open
Miami, United States
ATP World Tour Masters 1000
Hard, outdoor
21 March – 1 April 2007
1RBye
20 / 2542R Flag of Brazil.svg Ricardo Mello 127
Win
7–6(9–7), 6–2
3R Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Olivier Rochus 36WinW/O
21 / 2554R Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Martín del Potro 63
Win
6–0, 6–4
22 / 256QF Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic 10
Loss
3–6, 4–6
Monte Carlo Masters
Monte Carlo, Monaco
ATP World Tour Masters 1000
Clay, outdoor
14–22 April 2007
1RBye
23 / 2572R Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Ignacio Chela 22
Win
6–3, 6–1
24 / 2583R Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kristof Vliegen 52
Win
6–3, 6–1
25 / 259QF Flag of Germany.svg Philipp Kohlschreiber 59
Win
6–2, 6–3
26 / 260SF Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tomáš Berdych 14
Win
6–0, 7–5
27 / 261W Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Roger Federer 1
Win (2)
6–4, 6–4
Torneo Godo
Barcelona, Spain
ATP World Tour 500
Clay, outdoor
23–29 April 2007
1RBye
28 / 2622R Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kristof Vliegen 53
Win
6–1, 6–2
29 / 2633R Flag of Sweden.svg Thomas Johansson 73
Win
6–1, 6–4
30 / 264QF Flag of Italy.svg Potito Starace 72
Win
6–2, 7–5
31 / 265SF Flag of Spain.svg David Ferrer 16
Win
7–5, 6–1
32 / 266W Flag of Argentina.svg Guillermo Cañas 28
Win (3)
6–3, 6–4
Internazionali BNL d'Italia
Rome, Italy
ATP World Tour Masters 1000
Clay, outdoor
5–13 May 2007
1RBye
33 / 2672R Flag of Italy.svg Daniele Bracciali 125
Win
6–4, 6–2
34 / 2683R Flag of Russia.svg Mikhail Youzhny 16
Win
6–2, 6–2
35 / 269QF Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic 5
Win
6–2, 6–3
36 / 270SF Flag of Russia.svg Nikolay Davydenko 4
Win
7–6(7–3), 6–7(8–10), 6–4
37 / 271W Flag of Chile.svg Fernando González 6
Win (4)
6–2, 6–2
Masters Series Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany
ATP World Tour Masters 1000
Clay, outdoor
14–22 May 2007
1RBye
38 / 2722R Flag of Spain.svg Óscar Hernández 69
Win
7–5, 6–1
39 / 2733R Flag of Russia.svg Igor Andreev 164
Win
6–4, 6–1
40 / 274QF Flag of Chile.svg Fernando González 5
Win
6–4, 6–4
41 / 275SF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lleyton Hewitt 21
Win
2–6, 6–3, 7–5
42 / 276F Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Roger Federer 1
Loss (1)
6–2, 2–6, 0–6
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam
Clay, outdoor
27 May – 10 June 2007
43 / 2771R Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Martín del Potro 59
Win
7–5, 6–3, 6–2
44 / 2782R Flag of Italy.svg Flavio Cipolla 227
Win
6–2, 6–1, 6–4
45 / 2793R Flag of Spain.svg Albert Montañés 50
Win
6–1, 6–3, 6–2
46 / 2804R Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lleyton Hewitt 16
Win
6–3, 6–1, 7–6(7–5)
47 / 281QF Flag of Spain.svg Carlos Moyá 26
Win
6–4, 6–3, 6–0
48 / 282SF Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic 6
Win
7–5, 6–4, 6–2
49 / 283W Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Roger Federer 1
Win (5)
6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
Stella Artois Championships
London, United Kingdom
ATP World Tour 250
Grass, outdoor
11–17 June 2007
1RBye
50 / 2842R Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Martín del Potro 59
Win
6–4, 6–4,
51 / 2853R Flag of Belarus.svg Max Mirnyi 58
Win
7–6(7–3), 6–3
52 / 286QF Flag of France.svg Nicolas Mahut 106
Loss
5–7, 6–7(0–7)
The Championships, Wimbledon
Wimbledon, United Kingdom
Grand Slam
Grass, outdoor
25 June – 8 July 2007
53 / 2871R Flag of the United States.svg Mardy Fish 38
Win
6–3, 7–6(7–4), 6–3
54 / 2882R Flag of Austria.svg Werner Eschauer 72
Win
6–2, 6–4, 6–1
55 / 2893R Flag of Sweden.svg Robin Söderling 28
Win
6–4, 6–4, 6–7(7–9), 4–6, 7–5
56 / 2904R Flag of Russia.svg Mikhail Youzhny 13
Win
4–6, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–2
57 / 291QF Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tomáš Berdych 11
Win
7–6(7–1), 6–4, 6–2
58 / 292SF Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic 5
Win
3–6, 6–1, 4–1 RET
59 / 293F Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Roger Federer 1
Loss (2)
6–7(7–9), 6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–2, 2–6
Mercedes Cup
Stuttgart, Germany
ATP World Tour 500
Clay, outdoor
16–23 July 2007
60 / 2941R Flag of Germany.svg Alexander Waske 135
Win
6–1, 6–1
61 / 2952R Flag of Germany.svg Philipp Kohlschreiber 37
Win
6–3, 6–3
62 / 296QF Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Mónaco 29
Win
6–1, 6–3
63 / 297SF Flag of Spain.svg Feliciano López 84
Win
6–1, 7–5
64 / 298W Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Stan Wawrinka 50
Win (6)
6–4, 7–5
Rogers Cup
Montreal, Canada
ATP World Tour Masters 1000
Hard, outdoor
6–12 August 2007
1RBye
65 / 2992R Flag of Russia.svg Marat Safin 22
Win
7–6(7–4), 6–0
66 / 3003R Flag of France.svg Paul-Henri Mathieu 23
Win
3–6, 6–3, 6–2
67 / 301QF Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Frank Dancevic 91
Win
4–6, 6–2, 6–3
68 / 302SF Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic 4
Loss
5–7, 3–6
Western & Southern Financial Group Masters
Ohio, United States
ATP World Tour Masters 1000
Hard, outdoor
11–19 August 2007
1RBye
69 / 3032R Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Mónaco 25
Loss
6–7(5–7), 1–4 RET
US Open
New York, USA
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
27 August – 9 September 2007
70 / 3041R Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alun Jones 123
Win
7–5, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1
71 / 3052R Flag of Serbia.svg Janko Tipsarević 56
Win
6–2, 6–3, 3–2 RET
72 / 3063R Flag of France.svg Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 74
Win
7–6(7–3), 6–2, 6–1
73 / 3074R Flag of Spain.svg David Ferrer 15
Loss
7–6(7–3), 4–6, 6–7(4–7), 2–6
Mutua Madrileña Masters Madrid
Madrid, Spain
ATP World Tour Masters 1000
Hard, indoor
15–21 October 2007
1RBye
74 / 3082R Flag of Cyprus.svg Marcos Baghdatis 22
Win
6–4, 6–4
75 / 3093R Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Murray 17
Win
7–6(7–5), 6–4
76 / 310QF Flag of Argentina.svg David Nalbandian 25
Loss
1–6, 2–6
BNP Paribas Masters
Paris, France
ATP World Tour Masters 1000
Hard, indoor
27 October – 4 November 2007
1RBye
77 / 3112R Flag of Italy.svg Filippo Volandri 41
Win
6–3, 6–1
78 / 3123R Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Stan Wawrinka 36
Win
6–4, 6–3
79 / 313QF Flag of Russia.svg Mikhail Youzhny 18
Win
6–4, 6–2
80 / 314SF Flag of Cyprus.svg Marcos Baghdatis 22
Win
4–6, 6–4, 6–3
81 / 315F Flag of Argentina.svg David Nalbandian 21
Loss (3)
4–6, 0–6
Tennis Masters Cup
Shanghai, China
Year-end Championships
Hard, indoor
11–18 November 2007
82 / 316RR Flag of France.svg Richard Gasquet 8
Win
3–6, 6–3, 6–4
83 / 317RR Flag of Spain.svg David Ferrer 6
Loss
6–4, 4–6, 3–6
84 / 318RR Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic 3
Win
6–4, 6–4
85 / 319SF Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Roger Federer 1
Loss
4–6, 1–6

See also

References

  1. "Rafael Nadal, Player 2007 activity, Singles". aptworldtour. 2007. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  2. "Rafael Nadal, Player 2007 activity, Doubles". aptworldtour. 2007. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  3. "Gonzalez makes light work of Nadal". www.theguardian.com. 24 January 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  4. "Rafa tastes victory again". www.eurosport.com. 18 March 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  5. "20 May 2007: Roger Federer breaks Rafael Nadal's 81-match winning streak on clay". www.tennismajors.com. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  6. "Nadal's key serving leads to French Open three-peat". www.tennis.com. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  7. "The Battle of Surfaces" . Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  8. "Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer on a 50-50 court of clay and grass in 2007". www.givemesport.com. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  9. Cheese, Caroline (7 July 2007). "Wimbledon 2007". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  10. "Nadal wins Stuttgart title". www.eurosport.com. 22 July 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  11. "Nadal withdraws from Cincinnati Masters". www.reuters.com. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  12. "Nadal shown the door by Ferrer". www.theguardian.com. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  13. 1 2 Newbury, Piers (28 November 2007). "Nadal plays down foot injury fear". BBC Sport Tennis. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  14. "Nalbandian destroys Nadal's perfect Paris record". www.independent.co.uk. 5 November 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  15. "Federer crushes Nadal to reach Shanghai final". www.reuters.com. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2023.