The ATP ranking kicked off in August 1973. Five decades later, only six 30-year-old players are in the year-end top-2 chart. John Newcombe and Jimmy Connors did that in the 70s and 80s before Andre Agassi joined the party in 2002 at 32 years and eight months.
Roger Federer raised the bar higher in 2017, becoming the first 36-year-old player on the year-end top-2 list. Novak Djokovic achieved that at 34 years last season, standing second behind the Swiss. Rafael Nadal embraced a great run in 2022 to steal the record from Federer and top the list.
Rafa wrapped up the season inside the top-2 at 36 years and six months, becoming the oldest year-end top-2 player! Nadal finished the season inside the top-2 17 years after achieving that for the first time, in another testimony of his incredible longevity.
Nadal missed the second part of 2021 due to foot issues and made a perfect comeback this season. The veteran endured all the obstacles at the Australian Open. He came from 6-2, 7-6, 3-2, 40-0 down against Daniil Medvedev in the final to lift the first Melbourne Park trophy in 13 years.
Nadal prevailed in five sets after five hours and 24 minutes to become the first player with 21 Major crowns. Rafa conquered Acapulco in February and reached the Indian Wells final for a perfect 20-0 start to the season. However, the Spaniard fractured his rib in the semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz and lost the title clash to Taylor Fritz.
Nadal missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona and lost the ground and form. Rafa returned to action in Madrid and Rome and struggled to bring his A-game.
Rafael Nadal is the oldest year-end top-2 player.
His left foot bothered him again, with the dark clouds gathering over him ahead of Roland Garros.
Nadal needed injections ahead of every match in Paris to ease the pain and compete at a level good enough to fight for the title. Rafa provided his good old clay-court magic and beat Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud for his 14th Roland Garros title!
Nadal wished for more at Wimbledon, seeking the first All England Club crown in 12 years. The Spaniard reached the semi-final following an epic victory over Taylor Fritz in five thrilling sets. However, the veteran revealed a seven-millimeter abdominal tear that forced him to withdraw ahead of the Nick Kyrgios clash.
Rafa would play only nine matches by the end of the season, winning four and failing to fight for the year-end no. 1 honor in New York. Nadal lost in the US Open fourth round to Frances Tiafoe and missed a chance to conquer the ATP throne.
The Spaniard embraced four consecutive defeats for the first time since the end of 2009! Eager to terminate the losing streak, Rafa ousted Casper Ruud in the final match of the season at the ATP Finals in Turin, hoping for a fresh start in 2023 at the United Cup. 
