Rafael “Rafa” Nadal Parera (born 3 June 1986) is a Spanish professional tennis player.
Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slams.
Australian Open 2 – 2009, 2022 |
French Open 13 – 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 |
US Open 4 – 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019 |
Wimbledon 2 – 2008, 2010 |
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 2005 | French Open | Clay | Mariano Puerta | 6–7(6–8), 6–3, 6–1, 7–5 |
| Win | 2006 | French Open (2) | Clay | Roger Federer | 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6(7–4) |
| Loss | 2006 | Wimbledon | Grass | Roger Federer | 0–6, 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–2), 3–6 |
| Win | 2007 | French Open (3) | Clay | Roger Federer | 6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
| Loss | 2007 | Wimbledon | Grass | Roger Federer | 6–7(7–9), 6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–2, 2–6 |
| Win | 2008 | French Open (4) | Clay | Roger Federer | 6–1, 6–3, 6–0 |
| Win | 2008 | Wimbledon | Grass | Roger Federer | 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7 |
| Win | 2009 | Australian Open | Hard | Roger Federer | 7–5, 3–6, 7–6(7–3), 3–6, 6–2 |
| Win | 2010 | French Open (5) | Clay | Robin Söderling | 6–4, 6–2, 6–4 |
| Win | 2010 | Wimbledon (2) | Grass | Tomáš Berdych | 6–3, 7–5, 6–4 |
| Win | 2010 | US Open | Hard | Novak Djokovic | 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 |
| Win | 2011 | French Open (6) | Clay | Roger Federer | 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 5–7, 6–1 |
| Loss | 2011 | Wimbledon | Grass | Novak Djokovic | 4–6, 1–6, 6–1, 3–6 |
| Loss | 2011 | US Open | Hard | Novak Djokovic | 2–6, 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 1–6 |
| Loss | 2012 | Australian Open | Hard | Novak Djokovic | 7–5, 4–6, 2–6, 7–6(7–5), 5–7 |
| Win | 2012 | French Open (7) | Clay | Novak Djokovic | 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5 |
| Win | 2013 | French Open (8) | Clay | David Ferrer | 6–3, 6–2, 6–3 |
| Win | 2013 | US Open (2) | Hard | Novak Djokovic | 6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 |
| Loss | 2014 | Australian Open | Hard | Stan Wawrinka | 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 3–6 |
| Win | 2014 | French Open (9) | Clay | Novak Djokovic | 3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 6–4 |
| Loss | 2017 | Australian Open | Hard | Roger Federer | 4–6, 6–3, 1–6, 6–3, 3–6 |
| Win | 2017 | French Open (10) | Clay | Stan Wawrinka | 6–2, 6–3, 6–1 |
| Win | 2017 | US Open (3) | Hard | Kevin Anderson | 6–3, 6–3, 6–4 |
| Win | 2018 | French Open (11) | Clay | Dominic Thiem | 6–4, 6–3, 6–2 |
| Loss | 2019 | Australian Open | Hard | Novak Djokovic | 3–6, 2–6, 3–6 |
| Win | 2019 | French Open (12) | Clay | Dominic Thiem | 6–3, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1 |
| Win | 2019 | US Open (4) | Hard | Daniil Medvedev | 7–5, 6–3, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4 |
| Win | 2020 | French Open (13) | Clay | Novak Djokovic | 6–0, 6–2, 7–5 |
| Win | 2022 | Australian Open (2) | Hard | Daniil Medvedev | 2–6, 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 6–4, 7–5 |
| Win | 2022 | French Open (14) | Clay | Casper Ruud | 6–3, 6–3, 6–0 |
Other facts:
- Born and raised in Mallorca, he still calls the Spanish island home during the offseason. He is one of the few players on the ATP Tour still living in their hometown.
- With soccer in his blood and tennis being so demanding, Rafael Nadal had to make a serious decision when he was 12 years old. There was an opportunity to continue focusing on soccer only and hoping for the best, or to pursue tennis full-time. He chose the latter, and although it’s impossible to tell how great he could have been on the pitch, most think he made the right decision.
- In an exhibition match, Nadal caught the tennis world by surprise by beating Pat Cash. The 1987 Wimbledon winner was retired at the time, but still playing regularly in numerous events around the world.
- There are a lot of examples of Nadal being superstitious, but the most notable one while playing is his insistence on lining up all his water bottles. Between each changeover, it’s very noticeable in person and on television that he lines them up just right.
- Millions and millions of people around the world love their pets, but Nadal said in his 2010 autobiography that he “doubts their intentions.” It shouldn’t be entirely ruled out that he never gets a dog, but it may take some convincing.
- Nadal also enjoys playing and watching golf and poker when the time allows. He plays at a competitive level in both.
- He likes to play the PlayStation and says that his favorite drink is Coca-Cola
- Rafa appeared in a music video called, ‘Gypsy’ with Shakira. He played her love interest in the video. Undoubtedly, this was a new avatar of Rafa. He is friends with Shakira and her husband, Gerard Pique, who also runs the Davis Cup.
- Nadal is nicknamed ‘The King of Clay’ as he is considered to be the best tennis player on clay courts.