Nadal's US Open win gives Spain yet another triumph in amazing sporting year

MADRID — Spain's golden year of sporting success just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter.

Rafael Nadal's victory at the U.S. Open is the latest coup for Spain in a season-long fiesta on the international stage.

Spain won soccer's World Cup in South Africa, Alberto Contador captured his third Tour de France and now Nadal has completed a career Grand Slam.

Nadal followed up his victories at the French Open and Wimbledon this summer by beating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the U.S. Open final on Monday for his ninth Grand Slam title. At age 24, the Mallorca native is already being talked about as one of the greatest players of all time.

"He's already a legend," sports daily Marca said of Nadal, describing him as "the best in history" by this stage of his career.

Many newspapers are asking if Nadal could be the greatest Spanish athlete of all-time. Nadal also won Olympic gold in Beijing two years ago and has helped Spain to three of its four Davis Cup titles since 2004.

"History is at his feet," Marca said.

El Pais wrote: "The Spaniard leaves the city that never sleeps with the most pleasant dream possible: champion, myth and, now, a legend."

A quick, unscientific poll done Monday on the website of radio station Cadena Ser said that of roughly 1,700 people who took part, 80 per cent said Nadal could become the best tennis player in history.

Davis Cup teammate Fernando Verdasco, who lost to Nadal beat in the U.S. Open quarter-finals, was also full of praise.

"Congratulations from here to Rafa Nadal for winning the us.open, for the way he played and unbelievable (fourth) set with only 2 errors!" Verdasco wrote on his official Twitter page. "So BIG!"

There was no immediate public reaction from Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero or King Juan Carlos but Spanish opposition leader Mariano Rajoy paid tribute to Nadal.

"He really is something. We have to thank him because he makes us happy without asking for anything in exchange. No one gives as much as he does," Rajoy said.

Nadal's victory also raised the nation's spirits following the only real disappointment this year: Spain's national team failed to defend its world basketball championship title in Turkey, losing to Serbia in the quarter-finals.

But there could be more celebrations to come.

Spanish racing driver Fernando Alonso won the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday and remains in the hunt for his third Formula One title, which could cap a truly unforgettable year.