US Open
Press hail 'legend' Nadal
2010-09-14 13:10
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Madrid - Spanish media on Tuesday hailed world number one tennis ace Rafael Nadal as a "legend" after he became only the seventh man in history to complete a coveted career Grand Slam.
Spain's largest circulation daily El Pais said the 24-year-old had entered the "restricted club of professionals" who have won the world's four main tennis tournaments - the US, French and Australian Opens and Wimbledon.
"Nadal is among the legends of tennis," it declared.
The left-hander achieved the feat after he defeated second-ranked Novak Djokovic on Monday 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 at Flushing Meadows to capture his first US Open crown.
"Nadal enters into Olympia," wrote centre-right daily newspaper El Mundo, in a reference to the site of the Olympic Games in classical times.
Sports daily Marca said Nadal was simply "the best player in the world" who joined a list of prestigious players like John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors who "never won at his age" all the titles he already has under his belt.
Nadal's win adds to a list of successes for Spanish athletes this year following the country's first ever World Cup win in South Africa and Alberto Contador's third victory in the Tour de France.
"It is the golden age for Spanish sports," wrote Marca.