From Rafa Nadal keeping things in perspective to Frances Tiafoe's activism - the ATP Alternative Awards

Ahead of the official men's tour awards, we pick out some offbeat winners in a Covid-19 disrupted season

Rafael Nadal knows his achievements in tennis have paled in comparison with the hardships others have suffered during the coronavirus crisis. EPA

Last week, we handed out awards to the women of the WTA, to highlight some of their standout off-court achievements and qualities.

This week, we take a look at the men’s tour and make our picks for the 2020 ATP Alternative Awards.

Activism award: Frances Tiafoe

The 22-year-old American spearheaded a ‘Racquets down, Hands up’ campaign with his girlfriend Ayan Broomfield in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Tiafoe and Broomfield rallied together a host of players from the black tennis community, including Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Gael Monfils, Coco Gauff, Sloane Stephens, and many more to take part in their video that highlights racial injustice. The montage is set to the Oscar-winning song Glory, written and performed by John Legend and Common for the film Selma.

“Ayan and I felt the need to reach out to express our feelings for what is and for what has been going on here in America … Today, we put our racquets down and our hands up,” Tiafoe said in the video.

He told Sky Sports this week that he hopes to continue raising awareness in the future.

“It definitely felt good when I raised awareness, to see how far that video went and what that meant to them to try and make people understand. I'm happy about it, I'm just going to keep doing my part,” said Tiafoe.

Keeping Things in Perspective award: Rafael Nadal

The Spaniard has helped provide a constant reminder of what is really important during the challenging times following tennis' resumption in August from the coronavirus-enforced suspension.

Moments after he won a record-equalling 20th grand slam and record-extending 13th Roland Garros crown in Paris, Nadal was quick to send out a heartwarming message.

“I want to send a message to everyone around the world. We are facing one of the worst moments that I think we remember in this world, facing and fighting against this virus. Just keep going, stay positive and all the very best, together probably we will go through this and we will beat the virus soon,” said the Mallorcan.

During his press conference, Nadal added: “Of course, it is an important day for me, but I'm not stupid, no? It's still a very sad situation worldwide.”

Nadal’s perspective and general attitude while competing during the pandemic provided a healthy template for others to follow.

Tunisian star Ons Jabeur admitted that she was discouraged by the difficult and cold conditions the players were facing at the rescheduled French Open.

“I was like, 'Why are we playing?' Obviously I was looking how Rafa was taking this whole situation. To be honest, if he's a champion and he doesn't complain about it, I mean, who am I to complain about it right now?” she explained.

Rafael Nadal won the French Open title for the 13th time after his win over Novak Djokovic in the final on October 11, 2020. EPA

Rafael Nadal of Spain equalled Roger Federer's tally of 20 Grand Slam titles. EPOA

Rafael Nadal won the French Open title after a straight sets win over Novak Djokovic. EPA

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, second left, and Spain's Rafael Nadal. AFP

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. AP

Serbia's Novak Djokovic congratulates Spain's Rafael Nadal. AFP

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the French Open final against against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. AFP

Spain's Rafael Nadal won the French Open title without dropping a set. AP

Novak Djokovic serves against Rafael Nadal on Sunday. AFP

Spain's Rafael Nadal slides to play a shot against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. AP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia questions a line call. Getty

Resident Philosopher award: Stefanos Tsitsipas

The 22-year-old Greek has become famous for his introspective press conferences and philosophical social media posts. Even when he’s just previewing one of his matches, he often opts for a bold statement instead of giving a typical cliché answer. “I'm chasing something spectacular,” he said ahead of his Roland Garros semi-final in October.

When he lost to Novak Djokovic a couple of days later, he tweeted: “At the end of the day, all you need is hope, persistence and strength. Your future needs you. Your past doesn’t. Thank you @rolandgarros.”

“If you invest in yourself, you will love yourself. Make it so as if your life depends on it. It's a good principal,” he posted recently.

Tsitsipas acknowledges that he might not always be understood, but it’s actually something he takes pride in.

“These posts express my inner creativity,” he told Behind the Racquet earlier this year.

“I’m just trying to be different from the rest. I put Stefanos’ twist on life. I am philosophical, I come from a country with a history of philosophy and I don’t know if I was Pythagoras or Socrates in my previous life, but I wouldn’t mind being either one.”

Voice of Reason award: Nick Kyrgios

The talented Australian is no stranger to making headlines. Whether he’s hitting outrageous tweeners, nailing underhand serves, upsetting a ‘Big Three’ player, or throwing a tantrum on court, Kyrgios always manages to elicit strong responses from the media and the public.

His unfiltered nature often lands him in hot water but not this year. In 2020, Kyrgios won over many of his detractors by emerging as a voice of reason during these difficult times.

He started the year by pledging $200 for every ace he hit during the Australian summer to help with the raging bushfires that swept through his nation and many players followed suit. His efforts led Tennis Australia to stage the Rally for Relief that raised almost A$5 million to aid bushfire charities.

During the coronavirus shutdown, he delivered essential items to people in need after offering to help out on his social media, and he has been one of the fiercest critics of the irresponsible antics of his fellow players.

The Canberra native repeatedly called out the participants of the Adria Tour – which was staged with little to no safety measures in the Balkans mid-pandemic – and later slammed Alexander Zverev for partying in the South of France after promising to self-isolate for being in close contact with several positive cases. "I'm trying to hold them accountable," Kyrgios said.

The 25-year-old can be a divisive personality but it’s hard to argue with his level-headed stance throughout the pandemic.

Nick Kyrgios. EPA

Hit-maker award: Corentin Moutet

The entertaining French lefty showcases lots of flair on court and is just as gifted off it. He released his debut rap EP Écorché in September, after featuring on the track Drip with Canadian player Denis Shapovalov earlier in the year.

Moutet, 21, started playing the piano when he was injured at the age of 15 and got into rap a couple of years ago, before finishing his first album during quarantine.

“I take music as therapy because it’s nice to write and get rid of everything you’re feeling inside, both good and bad,” he told atptour.com. “I like the connection with people on social media through music as well. Even if you don’t speak the same language, you can speak to a lot of people through music.”

Best Post-loss Speaker award: Novak Djokovic

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better post-loss speaker in men’s tennis than Djokovic.

To be fair the Serb doesn’t lose many matches, but when he does, there’s usually a lot on the line and it would be understandable if he wanted to keep things short when speaking to reporters in an effort to leave the venue as soon as possible. Djokovic doesn’t do that though. Instead, he has mastered the art of talking to the media after suffering a defeat.

After falling to Nadal in the French Open final in October, the world No 1 gave credit to the Spaniard before sharing his own philosophy on dealing with defeat.

“Today you showed why you’re ‘King of clay,’ I have experienced it on my own skin,” he told Nadal on court.

In his press conference he added: “I don't have much to say but that I was completely overplayed by Rafa, by a better player on the court.

“In the greatest of defeats, you learn the greatest lessons as a tennis player, but as a person as well.”

Djokovic explained how he constantly reminds himself to be grateful for the life he has, and that that taking-nothing-for-granted perspective helps him bounce back.

When asked if he was worried about not being able to catch Nadal and Roger Federer in the race for most Grand Slams won, Djokovic told B92.net: “If I thought it was too late I would have ended my career today. But I do not think it is too late. I will keep on going as long as I have fuel in my legs and love and desire towards the sport. One defeat even though it is a Grand Slam final, cannot destabilise me. As the English say, I've developed 'thick skin' and I do not allow myself to be disturbed by various speculations and situations of this kind.”

It really was a masterclass in accepting defeat.

Novak Djokovic. Reuters

Rising Above the Hype award: Jannik Sinner

There has been a lot of hype surrounding the 19-year-old Italian and this season, he somehow lived up to it, while wisely ignoring it.

Sinner reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final in Paris in the fall, upsetting Zverev and David Goffin along the way, and actually won more games against Nadal in the last-eight stage than Djokovic managed in the final.

He was told by a reporter at the French Open that a pundit predicted he’d be in the top 10 within a year. Sinner’s response was spot on.

“I'm a person who looks not in the future and not in the past, always in the present. At the end you have to show everything. I haven't won anything until now.

“It's just head down and trying to improve, trying to play hours after hours on court, which I need to do. I have a great team behind me. We will see in 12 months where I am.”

He won his maiden ATP title a few weeks later in Sofia to finish the year ranked inside the top 40.