He started tennis at the age of 4: Who is Rafael Nadal?
The King of Clay Becomes The King of Tennis: Known as the "King of the Clay", Rafael Nadal became the first male tennis player to win 22 Grand Slams in tennis history.
In February 2023, Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, who has 22 grand slam titles, announced that he would not be able to participate in the Indian Wells and Miami Open Masters tournaments to be held in the USA.
Rafael Nadal was born on June 3, 1986, in Manacor, Spain. He started tennis at the age of four with the efforts of his uncle Toni, who is still coaching him.
Rafael Nadal drew attention in the professional tennis world with the 2003 Monte Carlo Master Series, where he played for the first time at the age of 17. defeated Karol Kucera and Albert Costa. This marked the first of his future great achievements.
He surprised everyone by defeating Carlos Moya in his third tournament at the ATP level. Wimbledon, the first grand slam he played, reached the 3rd round in 2003.
He has risen rapidly in the classification since 2004. Nadal won the Sopot tournament in 2004, and a year later won a total of 11 championships, including the French Open and four Master Series (Rome, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Montreal).
Nadal finished 2005 in second place behind Roger Federer. Nadal defeated Federer in the Dubai final in 2006, ending his 56-game winning streak on the hard court. He won his second grand slam tournament again at the French Open.
He took his fifth consecutive win against world number one Roger Federer, extending his undefeated streak to 60 games on clay courts.
The old record in this field was set by Argentine Guillermo Vilas in 1977 with 53 wins. Nadal's 81-game undefeated streak on clay courts was ended by Roger Federer in the Hamburg final in 2007.
Known as the "King of the Clay", Rafael Nadal won the Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Hamburg tournaments in 2008, defeating Federer 6-1,6-3 and 6-0 in a historic match at the French Open, winning his fourth consecutive title. He equaled Bjorn Borg's record for consecutive titles in this tournament.
Nadal also extended his unbeaten streak to 28 games at the French Open with this title. Nadal's success at this tournament put him on the list of "tennis players who have won at least four consecutive titles at any Grand Slam tournament", whose fellow members are Roger Federer, Bjorn Borg, and Pete Sampras.
Nadal also won the Wimbledon tennis tournament in 2008, winning the first Grand Slam tournament title outside the French Open Tennis Tournament.
In the final of this tournament, Nadal, who had an unforgettable match with Roger Federer, where the rain stopped 2 times and the total playing time was recorded as 4 hours 48 minutes, defeated his opponent 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7 and 9 after 5 sets. He managed to beat them in sets of -7.
In 2008, Nadal won the Hamburg tournament played on clay ground, the French Open played on clay, Queen's played on grass, Wimbledon played on grass and Toronto Master played on hard ground, and made a streak of victory on three different grounds.
Nadal became the first male tennis player to win 22 Grand Slams in tennis history. He won the championship at the French Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open, defeating his biggest rival, Roger Federer. Since winning his first "Grand Slam" title at the 2005 French Open, he has won 22 Grand Slam titles in total, with the 2022 French Open title, making him the most Grand Slam-winning male player in tennis history. Rafael Nadal, a staunch Real Madrid fan, starred in Shakira's music video Gypsy.
PRIVATE LIFE
Rafael Nadal married Maria Francisca Perello in 2019.
RAFAEL NADAL'S CHAMPIONSHIPS
Rafael Nadal won a total of 90 singles titles and lost 37 final matches. In doubles, he lost in 4 finals.