Rafael Nadal and Kim Clijsters have two more trophies to add to their 2010 collection after winning the International Tennis Writers Association’s top awards. The Spaniard and the Belgian have been voted ITWA’s Ambassadors of the Year.
The awards recognise a combination of achievements on the court, conduct that shows tennis in the best possible light and co-operation with the media. ITWA represents the world’s leading tennis journalists.
Nadal, who also won the award two years ago, crowned a remarkable season by winning three Grand Slam titles and reclaiming the world No 1 ranking. In triumphing at the US Open he became only the seventh man in history to win all four Grand Slam titles.
Clijsters, who wins the award for a third time, returned to tennis in 2009 after a two-year break. This year she successfully defended her US Open title and won four other tournaments, including the season-ending WTA Championships in Doha.
Sebastian Fest, co-president of ITWA, said: “Rafael Nadal and Kim Clijsters have had great years on the court, but they have also been superb ambassadors for their sport. Having followed them throughout the season, we appreciate how professional and helpful they have both been in answering the thousands of questions that journalists have put to them. Their attitude is a great example to everyone in professional sport.”
