The tennis star, currently number one in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world rankings, received the award at a Gala for the 75th anniversary of the newspaper in Madrid today.

The winner of 13 Grand Slam titles was voted for by readers ahead of five times Tour De France winner Miguel Indurain and Pau Gasol, undoubtedly Spain's greatest ever basketball player.

It is not the first time that Nadal has been recognised by the readers of the newspaper who, in 2007, voted him as winner of the Marco Legend award.

Rafael Nadal was chosen ahead of Pau Gasol and Miguel Indurain to win the "Legend Award" ©Getty Images

Nadal wins this accolade on the back of a phenomenal season on the court.

Following a knee injury that ruled him out for seven months, Nadal has won 10 titles, including the US Open, French Open and five ATP World Tour Masters 1000s.

He regained his spot at number one in October when he reached the final of the China Open in Beijing - although he went on to lose the final to Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

Since his comeback in February, Nadal has recorded a stunning 75 match wins with only seven losses and posted an unbeaten streak of 26 on hard courts.

The Spaniard is also one of just seven tennis players to win all four major Grand Slams in his career and he, along with Andre Agassi, are the only players to have one the "Career Golden Slam" - all four Grand slams and an Olympic gold medal.

Alongside Nadal's special award, the gala also recognised the performances of other Spanish sporting stars, including Formula One driver Fernando Alonso, rally driver Carlos Sainz, former captain of the Spanish's women's basketball team Amaya Valdemoro, cyclist Alberto Contador, Spanish national football team coach Vicente del Bosque and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

There was also a special mention of the late Severiano "Seve" Ballesteros, a professional golfer who died in 2011, as well as footballers Ricardo Zamora and Telmo Zarra, and former basketball coach Antonio Díaz-Miguel.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
November 2013: Djokovic beats Nadal to retain ATP World Tour Finals title
November 2013: Nadal to end season as world number one
September 2013: Nadal powers his way to second US Open crown against Djokovic
February 2013: Nadal steps up comeback with Brazil Open win
February 2013: Nadal upbeat despite shock defeat in Chilean Open final