Eyes always on the ball, but Rafael Nadal's 2014 was filled with highs but also several lows.
The highs and lows of 'Rafa' in 2014 —
Eyes always on the ball, but Rafael Nadal's 2014 was filled with highs but also several lows.
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At the start of the year he was in tears after losing the Australian Open final in January.
The highs and lows of 'Rafa' in 2014 —
At the start of the year he was in tears after losing the Australian Open final in January.
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Nadal injured his back in the warmup and fell to Swiss Stan Wawrinka in four sets in Melbourne.
The highs and lows of 'Rafa' in 2014 —
Nadal injured his back in the warmup and fell to Swiss Stan Wawrinka in four sets in Melbourne.
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Nadal suffered upset losses in three of his ensuing five tournaments, including a defeat to David Ferrer at the Monte Carlo Masters. It was the first time since his debut in Monte Carlo in 2003 that Nadal didn't reach the final.
The highs and lows of 'Rafa' in 2014 —
Nadal suffered upset losses in three of his ensuing five tournaments, including a defeat to David Ferrer at the Monte Carlo Masters. It was the first time since his debut in Monte Carlo in 2003 that Nadal didn't reach the final.
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Nadal then won the Madrid Masters -- aided by an injury to his opponent Kei Nishikori -- and followed that up by claiming a record ninth French Open title in June.
The highs and lows of 'Rafa' in 2014 —
Nadal then won the Madrid Masters -- aided by an injury to his opponent Kei Nishikori -- and followed that up by claiming a record ninth French Open title in June.
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But his recent woes at Wimbledon continued. Nadal was upset again, this time by young Australian Nick Kyrgios.
The highs and lows of 'Rafa' in 2014 —
But his recent woes at Wimbledon continued. Nadal was upset again, this time by young Australian Nick Kyrgios.
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The U.S. Open houses the biggest regularly used tennis stadium in the world but Nadal didn't get an opportunity to play on Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2014 because he was sidelined with a wrist problem.
The highs and lows of 'Rafa' in 2014 —
The U.S. Open houses the biggest regularly used tennis stadium in the world but Nadal didn't get an opportunity to play on Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2014 because he was sidelined with a wrist problem.
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The health issues weren't over for Nadal. He played with appendicitis in the fall and lost to then 17-year-old Borna Coric in Basel.
The highs and lows of 'Rafa' in 2014 —
The health issues weren't over for Nadal. He played with appendicitis in the fall and lost to then 17-year-old Borna Coric in Basel.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)
It was Nadal's last match of the year. He underwent appendix surgery in November and missed the World Tour Finals.
The highs and lows of 'Rafa' in 2014 —
It was Nadal's last match of the year. He underwent appendix surgery in November and missed the World Tour Finals.
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Nadal hasn't been out of the public eye, though. He was named a Favorite Son of Mallorca -- where he hails from in Spain -- this month.
The highs and lows of 'Rafa' in 2014 —
Nadal hasn't been out of the public eye, though. He was named a Favorite Son of Mallorca -- where he hails from in Spain -- this month.
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