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Rafa Nadal celebrates winning Davis Cup 2019

Rafa Nadal snubbed for global sports award


Rafa Nadal dominated the 2019 tennis season with two Grand Slam singles titles and the Davis Cup but that wasn’t enough to rank him amongst the best 6 global sports stars according to a well know British broadcaster

 

Rafa Nadal has been left out of the BBC’s list of nominees for their ‘World Sports Star’ category at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

The BBC announced their shortlist made up of 6 athletes that they feel have had the most outstanding year in global sports. Their choices this year are Simone Biles the gymnast, Eliud Kipchoge the marathon runner, Siya Kolisi the rugby player, Megan Rapinoe the footballer, Steve Smith the cricketer and tiger woods the golfer.

Leading names in tennis took to social media to express their shock at Nadal’s omission including Andy Murray’s ex-coach Mark Petchey who tweeted, “Completely null and voids the (World sports star) category for me when you don’t include his historic achievements this year. Especially the oldest year end number one and his Davis Cup record which is mind blowing”

Rafa Nadal won the French Open and the US Open in 2019 as well as leading his team Spain to Davis Cup glory. Nadal also finished the year as World No.1.

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Photo courtesy Paul Zimmer


Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.