History of Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal Parera was born on June 3rd, 1986 in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain. He is a Spanish tennis player, currently ranked second in the ATP. Nadal is considered one of the best tennis players in history due to his talent and skill on the court. He has won numerous tournaments, including eleven Roland Garros, two Wimbledon, and three US Open. Currently, his main opponent is the Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, who is ranked first in the ATP and winner of the 2019 Australian Open. Nadal’s career began in 2001, when he enrolled in the ATP at rank 818. The following year, he made his debut at the Mallorca Open, where he defeated Paraguayan player Ramón Delgado. Four years later, he was already seen as one of the new figures in tennis, holding the second place in the ATP at the age of nineteen. Later, he became the number one at the age of 22, dethroning Roger Federer. Since then, he has achieved a great number of triumphs, consolidating himself as one of the most outstanding figures in tennis.

Family, beginnings in tennis.

Rafael Nadal Parera is the son of Sebastián Nadal and Ana María Parera, and has a sister named María Isabel, who is his most enthusiastic fan. The young tennis player was raised in a well-off family with a long tradition in Mallorca. His father, Sebastián, is a businessman and the director of a company dedicated to the construction of paddle courts, and also an organizer of sports events. The young tennis player was named Rafael in honor of his grandfather. Since his family was involved in the world of sports, he gradually became interested in it. He played all kinds of sports, such as soccer, in which he stood out playing in the lower categories. A short time later, tennis caught his attention, influenced to a great extent by his uncle, Toni Nadal, who, upon perceiving his talent in the area, became his coach. He guided Rafael in a strict and disciplined manner, and later became his representative.

Giving up academic studies

During his training with his uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal chose to play with his left hand, despite being right-handed in his daily life. This decision has characterized his career as a professional tennis player. Due to the demands of his career, he left school at an early age and focused fully on his career as a professional tennis player. This decision affected his mother, who expected him to complete his education. However, over time, she understood how difficult it would be for him to make a career as a professional while studying at the same time.

Rafael Nadal’s professional career path

Rafael Nadal’s professional career began at the end of 2001, when the young tennis player enrolled in the ATP at the age of 15, occupying the 818th position. At that time, he belonged to the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona. He made his debut on April 29, 2002, at the Mallorca Open, where he defeated Paraguayan player Ramón Delgado. After his appearance in Mallorca, he expected to participate in the Roland Garros in 2003, but an injury kept him away from the courts throughout the circuit. At the end of the following year, he returned to the courts, winning the Sopot tournament and the Davis Cup. At that time, his performances on the court earned him a place on the list of the top 100 tennis players in the world.

In 2005, Rafael Nadal won the French Open and Roland Garros, becoming one of the leading figures in tennis. His name spread worldwide and he climbed the ATP rankings to the number three position, a position he surpassed in 2008, when he held the number one spot on the ATP list, surpassing famous player Roger Federer. That same year, he also won the Olympic title in Beijing, winning the Roland Garros and his first Wimbledon Championship consecutively. For his sports achievements, he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Sports Prize.

Rafael Nadal Foundation, Awards, Trophies

In 2008, he created the Rafa Nadal Foundation, an organization dedicated to social work, helping children and young people through sport and education, including those with intellectual disabilities. Between 2008 and 2010, he continued to reap successes in the Masters 1000, Grand Slam, Roland Garros tournament, Wimbledon Championship, Australian Open and US Open. After winning the US and Australian Open in 2010, he was recognized with the Laureus Best International Sportsman award. That same year, he returned to be number one in the ATP. The following year, he defeated Federer again in the Grand Slam final with a score of 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7 and 6-1. Later, he won his third Grand Slam title against Novak Djokovic, and shortly after, he again surpassed the Serbian player in the Masters 1000. That same year, he broke the record of the Swede Björn Borg, after winning his seventh title at Roland Garros. At the beginning of 2013, he held the fourth position in the ATP. Throughout the year, he triumphed in Sao Paulo, Acapulco, Indian Wells, and Viña del Mar. He won the Madrid, Montreal, and Cincinnati Masters, as well as the US Open against Djokovic. He closed the year in Beijing, once again occupying the number one position.

2014-2017

The following year he had a tough season, losing consecutively to Novak Djokovic, but later defeated him by winning the Roland Garros again. Later, he was operated due to appendicitis, which kept him out of play at the end of the year. In 2015, he started strong at Roland Garros, but fell in the quarterfinals against Djokovic. The next year, representing Spain at the 2016 Rio Olympics, he won a gold medal in doubles and placed fourth in singles. Throughout 2017, he achieved his tenth title in Monte Carlo, becoming the player with the most clay titles. He also won the Barcelona Open, Roland Garros and US Open.

Eleventh title at Roland Garros, marriage

In the summer of 2018, Rafael Nadal won his eleventh title at the Roland Garros by defeating Dominic Thiem. Later, he participated in the Wimbledon Championship, reaching the semifinals where he was defeated by the Serbian Novak Djokovic. He then took part in the Canadian Masters 1000, in which he defeated Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, due to severe knee pain, he withdrew from the Grand Slam and took a two-month break, announcing his retirement from the season. In the course of 2019, the Spanish tennis player participated in the Australian Open, where he was defeated by the Serbian Djokovic, who currently holds the number one position in the ATP. Shortly after, he married María Francisca Perrello, known as Xisca, whom he has been in a romantic relationship with since 2005.