Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open singles titles, and is one of only two men to win all four majors and Olympic gold.

Who Is Rafael Nadal?

Rafael Nadal began playing tennis at age three and turned pro at 15. Known as the “King of Clay” for his skill playing on clay courts, as well as his topspin-heavy shots and tenacity, Nadal has won a record 13 French Open singles titles and holds the record for first all-time in the men’s game with 22 Grand Slam titles.

Personal Life

Nadal has been dating his girlfriend Xisca Perello since 2005 and revealed that they became engaged in January 2019. She serves on the RafaNadal Foundation as a project director.

Early Years

Rafael Nadal was born in Mallorca, Spain, on June 3, 1986. When he was three years old, his uncle, Toni Nadal, a former professional tennis player, started working with him, seeing an aptitude for the sport in young Rafael.

At the age of eight, Nadal won an under-12 regional tennis championship, giving his Uncle Toni the incentive to step up his training. Toni noticed at the time that Nadal played his forehand shots with two hands, so he encouraged him to play left-handed, thinking it could give Nadal an edge on the court.

When Nadal was just 12 years old, he won the Spanish and European tennis titles in his age group. He turned professional at age 15.

Nadal holding his French Open trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic in 2012.

“King of Clay”

At the age of 16, Nadal made it to the semifinals of the Boys’ Singles tournament at Wimbledon. At 17, he became the youngest male to reach the third round at Wimbledon since Boris Becker. In 2005, when he was just 19 years old, Nadal won the French Open the first time he competed in the tournament, and his world ranking shot to No. 3. Nadal won 11 singles titles that year, eight of which were on clay, and he was soon dubbed the “King of Clay.”

Tennis Career: Grand Slams and Other Wins

Despite enduring shoulder and foot injuries, Nadal won his second straight French Open and added four more titles in 2006. The following year, he won again at Roland Garros and took home five other titles. Nadal poured it on in 2008, winning the French Open again, in addition to winning Wimbledon — where he beat rival Roger Federer in the longest final in Wimbledon history — as well as taking home the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. After Wimbledon, Nadal’s winning streak stood at a career-best 32 matches.

QUICK FACTS

• Birth Year: 1986
• Birth date: June 3, 1986
• Birth City: Manacor, Mallorca
• Birth Country: Spain
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open singles titles, and is one of only two men to win all four majors and Olympic gold.
• Industries
  • Tennis
• Astrological Sign: Gemini
• Nacionalities
  • Spanish

QUOTES

• Always I believe that I can play better. But I am happy.