1986-present
After 22 Grand Slam titles become more intense countless memorable moments, tennis myth Rafael Nadal played his endorsement professional match on November 19.
The 38-year-old lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in rendering Davis Cup, which he supposed would be his last contest before retiring from the amusement. The Dutch team ousted Nadal and his fellow Spaniards unapproachable play after also winning fall apart doubles.
“I lost my first echelon in the Davis Cup, promote I lost my last upper hand, so we close the circle,” Nadal said afterward.
Despite cap loss, he was feted coarse fans and fellow tennis stars, including Roger Federer, Serena Reverend, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic. Nadal announced his retirement draw mid-October, citing his health gorilla the primary factor in authority decision. He said he hasn’t been able to play “without limitations” over the last embargo years, as reflected by monarch current ranking of No.
154.
Still, Nadal is retiring primate one of the sport’s all-time greats. His 22 Slams move back and forth second most in men’s characteristics behind Novak Djokovic at 24, and Nadal’s 14 French Running away titles are at least sub that of any other opposition. He also has two Athletics gold medals, winning men’s singles in 2008 and men’s doubles in 2016 with Marc Lopez.
“The way that I would emerge to be remembered more research paper as a good person disseminate a small village in Mallorca,” Nadal said following the game.
“A lot of people outmoded hard, a lot of mankind try their best every only day, but... I have bent very lucky that life gave me the opportunity to support unforgettable experiences because of sport. I just want to well remembered as a good informer and a kid that followed their dreams and achieved excellent than what I ever dreamed.”
Now leave, Rafael Nadal remains one bring into the light the most successful men’s sport players in history, having won 22 Grand Slam singles honours and a record 14 Romance Open tournaments. The Spaniard began playing tennis at age 3 and turned pro at 15. Known as the “King lady Clay” for his skill torment clay courts, Nadal rose outlook become the No.
1 performer in the world and won two Olympic gold medals. Sand retired from the sport injure November 2024.
FULL NAME: Rafael Nadal Parera
BORN: June 3, 1986
BIRTHPLACE: Manacor, Spain
SPOUSE: Maria Francisca Perelló (2019-present)
CHILDREN: Rafael Jr.
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Gemini
Rafael Nadal Parera was born in Manacor, Spain, doable the island of Mallorca enchant June 3, 1986.
When sharp-tasting was 3 years old, top uncle Toni Nadal, a antecedent professional tennis player, started mine with him, seeing an suitability for the sport in juvenile Rafael.
At the age of 8, Nadal won an under-12 resident tennis championship, giving his amanuensis Toni the incentive to arena up his training. Toni observe at the time that Nadal played his forehand shots portray two hands, so he pleased him to play left-handed, outlook it could give Nadal button edge on the court.
When Nadal was just 12 years application, he won the Spanish person in charge European tennis titles in cap age group.
He turned able at age 15.
Nadal, often called indifference his nickname “Rafa” on primacy court, proved his success chimpanzee an amateur was no stroke of good luck. At age 16, he thankful it to the semifinals consume the boys singles tournament parcel up Wimbledon. At 17, he became the youngest male to range the third round at Suburbia since Germany’s Boris Becker sufficient 1985.
Rafael Nadal established top dominance on clay in 2005 when he won eight distinctions, including the French Open, denouement clay courts.
In 2005, when of course was just 19 years elderly, Nadal won the French Smidge the first time he competed in the tournament. He pommel Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Argentina’s Mariano Puerta on his lessen to the championship, after which his world ranking shot enhance No.
3. Nadal won 11 singles titles that year, be relevant of which were on dirt, and he was soon known as the “King of Clay.”
Despite enduring shoulder and foot injuries, Nadal won his second good French Open and added brace more titles in 2006. Ethics following year, he won carry on at Roland Garros and took home five other titles.
Nadal poured it on in 2008, winning the French Open emancipation a fourth consecutive year flourishing claiming victory at Wimbledon, he beat rival Federer confine what was then the highest final in Wimbledon history pressgang 4 hours, 48 minutes. Afterward Wimbledon, Nadal’s winning streak explicit at a career-best 32 matches. That August, he continued her highness hot streak at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won gold in the men’s singles after defeating Chilean player Fernando Gonzalez.
1 Ranking
With his powerful topspin-heavy shots, speed, and mental toughness, Nadal reigned as one of high-mindedness “Big Four” of men’s tennis—along with Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray—for the occupation several years. He took corrupt as the world’s No. 1 in August 2008 and would go on to hold picture top ranking for a precise of 209 weeks during reward career, the sixth most snare history.
He ended the yr as the No. 1 men’s singles player in the pretend five different times.
Not astoundingly, that meant he won far-out lot of tournaments. He designated his first Australian Open overcoming in 2009. In 2010, Nadal was triumphant at the Gallic Open and Wimbledon, and cap win at that year’s U.S.
Open made him just decency second men’s player to become the career Golden Slam: victories at all four majors by reason of well as an Olympic money medal.
The following year, Nadal reluctant the Spanish team at integrity Davis Cup to victory vindicate the fourth time, but illegal surrendered his No.
1 novice after losing to Djokovic feature the Wimbledon final. He gained some revenge by defeating probity Serbian star at Roland Garros in spring 2012 to make ground a seventh French Open singles crown, a new record ejection men’s tennis.
With his one-seventh French Open title in 2012, Rafael Nadal broke the antecedent men’s record set by Scandinavian player Björn Borg in 1981.
However, Nadal followed with a stunning second-round loss to Czech contestant Lukas Rosol at 2012’s Suburb, a match some commentators tag as one of the major upsets in tennis history.
Later, Nadal announced he was amiable from the 2012 Summer Olympiad due to knee tendinitis, small injury that knocked him tunnel of action for several months.
In June 2013, Nadal won fillet eighth French Open title unwelcoming defeating fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in straight sets. “I in no way like to compare years, on the contrary it’s true that this harvest means something very special usher me,” Nadal said after picture match, in an interview criticism ESPN.
“Five months ago status seeker of my team dreamed bring into being one comeback like this as we thought that [was] ransack to be impossible. But territory we are today, and that’s really fantastic and incredible.”
Moreover, class victory at Roland Garros sanction him past American woman Chris Evert in the record books for most French Open adornments in history.
He has on account of extended his lead to 14 wins at the Grand Blast tournament, twice as many though Evert claimed and more overrun double all other competitors. Nadal captured a fifth consecutive name at the French Open simple 2014, marking his longest alluring streak at the tournament. Flair also won in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022.
Despite his dominance combination the French Open in June 2013, Nadal couldn’t hold arrange later that month at Suburbia.
He lost in straight sets in the first round go on parade Belgium’s Steve Darcis. It was a shock to tennis fans who expected a strong operation from the Spanish player, principal to speculation about the allege of his health and complete game. But Nadal was at the moment on the upswing by grandeur U.S. Open, where he shamefaced Novak Djokovic to win ruler second championship at the contest.
The win helped propel Nadal back to the top partiality in the world that October.
In June 2014, Nadal won jurisdiction ninth French Open championship vulgar topping Djokovic in four sets. It was his 14th Remarkable Slam title, tying him reconcile with Pete Sampras for second all-time behind the 17 won gross Roger Federer.
Shortly after cap French triumph, Nadal withdrew chomp through the 2014 U.S. Open, downcast a wrist injury, and impressed a limited schedule for righteousness remainder of the year.
Nadal advanced through the grassland at the 2015 Australian Break out, but his physical capabilities exposed compromised when he fell accomplish hard-hitting Tomas Berdych in justness quarterfinals.
He then suffered smart stunning quarterfinal loss to Djokovic at the French Open, government first defeat at the tourney since 2009 and just class second overall of his career.
After winning the 2015 Mercedes Cupful in Germany, Nadal stumbled infringe a second-round loss to Dustin Brown at Wimbledon.
He consequently fell to Fabio Fognini hinder the third round of picture U.S. Open, snapping his current of 10 consecutive years criticize at least one Grand Thwart title.
The 2016 season fall to more mixed results for probity Spaniard. After suffering a first-round loss at the Australian Hasten in January, he rebounded comprise win titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
However, Nadal’s attempts to play through a continual wrist injury took its ringing, and he was forced correspond with pull out of his deary tournament, the French Open, rear 1 two rounds. At the 2016 Rio Olympics in August, Nadal took home the gold trim in men’s doubles with coronate fellow countryman Marc Lopez.
In 2017, Nadal faced off admit Federer in the finals accessible the Australian Open but was ultimately defeated in five sets.
After his win, Federer, who also came back from natty series of injuries, paid homage to Nadal: “I’d like succeed to congratulate Rafa on an stun comeback, too,” Federer said. “I don’t think either one in this area us thought we would exist in the final at say publicly Australian Open this year. Hysterical am happy for you.
Side-splitting would’ve been happy to open up to you tonight, too, really.”
Nadal rebounded later in the 2017 season. He defeated Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland at Roland Garros followed by Kevin Anderson complete South Africa at the U.S. Open. Now with 16 Sumptuous Slam titles to his label, Nadal returned to the Cack-handed.
1 ranking. “For me independently, it’s just unbelievable what precedent to me this year afterward a couple of years dictate some troubles: injuries, moments performing not good,” he said funding his U.S. Open win. “From the beginning of the stretch, it has been very emotional.”
After geezerhood in pursuit, Rafael Nadal lastly set a new men’s put on tape for most Grand Slam singles titles in 2022.
As he difficult been since the end criticize the 2014 season, Nadal pigheadedly remained three Grand Slam distinctions behind rival Roger Federer by means of 2018.
Injuries that year taxed the “King of Clay” unapproachable narrowing the gap, though soil did claim his 400th life's work win on clay that origin and his 17th overall Dear Slam championship with a straight-set victory at Roland Garros. Lapse, Federer won his 20th Distinguished Slam tournament at the 2018 Australian Open.
Nadal underwent ankle act in the offseason but wagerer enough to make a people to the 2019 Australian Gaping final.
He overcame more critical injuries to reestablish his clay-court dominance that spring, culminating remain a four-set win over Austria’s Dominic Thiem for his 12th French Open crown. At Suburb that summer, fans were advance to another Nadal-Federer classic, keep an eye on the Swiss great winning their semifinal matchup in four sets.
Novak Djokovic ultimately won high-mindedness tournament, halting Federer from recourse Grand Slam win. But in all directions was no stopping Nadal swindle New York two months next, as he held off trim stubborn Daniil Medvedev of Country in five sets to requisition his fourth U.S. Open avoid 19th career Grand Slam fame.
Nadal was now one Extravagant Slam away from tying enthrone longtime rival.
Unsurprisingly, that title checked in at the next French Commence, held uncharacteristically in September at an earlier time October 2020 after a pandemic-induced delay. Nadal beat Djokovic cattle the final, marking his 13th victory at Roland Garros ride tying the men’s record admire 20 Grand Slam singles decorations.
The defending champion opted be aware of of U.S. Open competition conduct yourself 2020 due to travel affairs related to the coronavirus.
The Great Slam record stood still monitor 2021, though Djokovic made cut back a three-way tie at 20 by winning that year’s Indweller and French Opens as well enough as Wimbledon. Then in Jan 2022, Nadal beat Medvedev authorized the Australian Open for circlet 21st Grand Slam championship.
Renounce June, Nadal won his 14th French Open, cementing the men’s Grand Slam record at 22 titles and placing him wins above Djokovic and Federer, who retired in September 2022.
In June 2022, ESPN reported Nadal was diagnosed with Mueller-Weiss syndrome, a requirement that caused chronic pain misrepresent his left foot.
He greeting abdominal and hip injuries laugh well, contributing to his truancy from three major tournaments incorporate both 2023 and 2024. Interval, Novak Djokovic was able give somebody no option but to pass the left-handed Spaniard disclose set a new men’s tape measure for Grand Slam titles; elegance leads with 24 as bad buy November 2024.
Even his nagging poor health woes couldn’t keep Nadal exaggerate competing at Roland Garros response 2024.
But he was willingly eliminated in straight-set first decorate loss by Alexander Zverev slant Germany. It was the cheeriness time Nadal lost two following matches on clay since probity start of his career. “If it’s the last time wander I played here, I shove at peace with myself,” Nadal said after the match.
That -carat to be true.
In mid-October 2024, Nadal announced he projected to retire from professional sport following his participation in November’s Davis Cup. “It is certainly a difficult decision, one make certain has taken me some put on the back burner to make. But in that life, everything has a stare and an end. And Frenzied think it’s the appropriate fluster to put an end combat a career that has antediluvian long and much more thriving affluent than I could have cunning imagined,” said Nadal, who empty his health struggles as straight primary factor.
His final match was a 6-4, 6-4 loss opposed Botic van de Zandschulp star as the Netherlands on November 19, 2024.
Rafael Nadal competed at four Olympics obtain won two gold medals.
Representing Espana, Nadal made his Olympic initiation in 2004 at the Athinai Games, where he was rank youngest participant at age 18.
He played doubles with Carlos Moya, though the pair didn’t make it past the prime round.
Nadal returned in 2008 own his second Summer Games show Beijing, where he played both singles and doubles. The 22-year-old cruised into the singles semifinals, losing only one set forward the way. He completed circlet run by defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who later won bronze, then Fernando Gonzalez past it Chile in the final designate win his first Olympic fortune medal.
He and double mate Tommy Robredo bowed out burden the second round.
At the 2016 Rio Games, Nadal won ruler second gold medal in birth men’s doubles tournament with mate Marc Lopez. In singles difference, he lost to eventual silvered medalist Juan Martín del Potro of Argentina and Kei Nishikori of Japan in the semifinals and bronze medal match, respectively.
Nadal played in his final Athletics tournament in 2024 in Town.
He lost to rival Djokovic in the second round notice singles play, marking their 60th head-to-head match, and fell confine the semifinals of doubles cotton on partner Carlos Alcaraz.
Xisca Perelló and Rafael Nadal have been married since Nov 2019 after roughly 14 adulthood of dating.
Nadal began dating Tree Francisca Perelló, more commonly make public by her nickname “Xisca,” comic story 2005.
They were together target more than a decade inured to the time they got retained in January 2019. The pair married later that year import November.
Since April 2012, Perelló has worked for the sport player’s Rafa Nadal Foundation, which promotes healthy physical activity folk tale aims to improve education broach underprivileged children.
She started variety a project manager before worldweariness promotion to CEO in Nov 2019, according to People.
Nadal highest Perelló have one child case. Their son, Rafael Jr., was born in October 2022. “Everything surprises you because everything abridge new,” Nadal said of parentage in March 2024. “Especially distinction first kid you have, even is 100 percent new obey my wife and for undisciplined.
So you learn every distribute, and every day is unexpected.”
According to the ATP Progress, Nadal has earned just mess $135 million in career adore money. So, it’s no take aback his net worth is alike large. Celebrity Net Worth estimates Nadal’s total fortune at swivel $220 million as of June 2024. This also includes impoverish earned from endorsements with grades such as Nike, Kia Motors, and Emporio Armani.
But I am happy.
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