US Open: Rafael Nadal could achieve five milestones 

However, the 36-year-old has been handed a tough draw. After six weeks of rest, he competed at Cincinnati, and the 22-time Major winner rallied from a set down to defeat Taylor Fritz in a fifth-set tiebreak. 

A flare-up in his injury sabotaged his bid to win the Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios. Now that he will kickstart his Flushing Meadows campaign in three years, here are five milestones that seem well within his grasp before the end of the tennis calendar year!

Rafael Nadal could become the third player to win 70 matches in three Majors

Record 22-time Major titlist Rafael Nadal has won at least 50 matches over all four Majors. The only other player who has won a double career Grand Slam in the Open Era is Novak Djokovic.

So Nadal could script history at Flushing Meadows next week. Spain's Raging Bull has won 112 matches at Roland Garros and 76 at the Australian Open, where he snapped up his 21st Grand Slam title this year. 

Roger Federer has won 75 matches in all the Grand Slams, while Djokovic has won at least 80 in all four. Currently trailing at 64, the Spaniard has to be a finalist at Flushing Meadows to set a new record as the third player in history to win 70 matches at three Majors.

Equal longest gap between Flushing Meadows triumphs in the Open Era

Rafael Nadal has picked up a joint second record along with Jimmy Connors for the longest gap in the Open Era between the first and last US Open titles. 

The Spaniard tasted his first US Open victory in 2010, beating Novak Djokovic in the final. Nine years later, he dispatched Daniil Medvedev to seal his fourth title at the tournament.

If he adds another trophy to his closet, he will outdo Pete Sampras' record of 12 years between his first (1990) and last (2002) US Open victories. Meanwhile, Connors plucked his maiden US Open title in 1974 and his last one nine years later. 

Equal three other players for most US Open titles in the Open Era

Rafael Nadal has registered four triumphs at Flushing Meadows, going all the way in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019. If he clinches another title in the coming fortnight, he will go level with Sampras, Connors and Federer for most US Open wins in the Open Era. 

It will additionally mark Nadal's return to number one in the ATP rankings, replacing Russian favourite Daniil Medvedev. 

Become the oldest player in the Open Era to win US Open

Rafael Nadal now stands as the second oldest player in the Open Era to win the US Open. He was 33 when he bagged his fourth Flushing Meadows title in 2019.

The record surpassing the Spaniard belongs to Ken Rosewall, who became the champion in 1970 at 35 years of age. Nadal will kickstart his Flushing Meadows campaign against Rinky Hijikata and could face top players like Cameron Norrie, Alcaraz, and defending champion Medvedev en route to the summit clash.

Go level with Serena Williams for most Grand Slam singles titles in the Open

The Spaniard could attain his record-extending 23rd Major title to match the considerable number set by American icon Serena Williams for most Grand Slam singles triumphs in the Open Era.

Nadal currently shares the second-place distinction with Steffi Graf on the all-time leaderboard. He already leads the Grand Slam race in men's singles - one ahead of Novak Djokovic.

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