Nadal best European sportsman of 2008
December 27th 2008 23:13
Tennis world number 1 Rafael Nadal has capped off a stunning 2008 season by being elected as the best European sportsman this year.
With 17 news services from Europe taking part in the voting process, Nadal emerged on top with 146 votes, beating out Russian athlete Yelena Isinbayeba (126) and British F1 champion Lewis Hamilton (101).
The honours seem to keep rolling on for Nadal in what has been his most consistent year on the ATP tour.
Ranked no.2 in the world prior to the start of 2008, Nadal won his fourth consecutive French Open and also defeated Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final to end the Swiss' five year dominance on top of the world rankings.
At the Beijing Olympics, Nadal also secured his maiden Gold medal in the Tennis tournament, beating out Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in the final.
With the European sportsman of the year hanging around his chest, Nadal has also become the first Spaniard ever to win the coveted award, which started in 1958.
Of course, it is only logical that Nadal succeeds Federer for the European sportsman of the year award, considering the Swiss Tennis legend won the previous four editions.
Nadal's crowning also signals the fifth consecutive time the award has gone to a Tennis player.
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