Overview

Rafael Nadal, often referred to as “Rafa,” is a Spanish professional tennis player known for his exceptional prowess on clay courts. Born on June 3, 1986, in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain, Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record 14 French Open championships, solidifying his status as the greatest player on clay. He is one of the few players to have completed the Career Golden Slam, which includes winning all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal in singles, which he achieved in 2008.

Nadal has been ranked world No. 1 in singles by the ATP for a total of 209 weeks, finishing as the year-end No. 1 five times. He has also won 92 ATP singles titles, including 36 Masters 1000 titles. Notably, Nadal holds the record for the most titles won at a single major tournament with his 14 victories at the French Open. His fierce playing style, characterized by powerful topspin forehands and relentless athleticism, has made him a dominant force in tennis.

Beyond his achievements on clay, Nadal has also triumphed at other Grand Slam events, winning the Australian Open twice, Wimbledon twice, and the US Open four times. He has a remarkable career match-winning percentage on clay courts, standing at 91.2%, and a record 479-48 on the surface. Nadal’s career includes remarkable streaks, such as an 81-match clay-court winning streak from 2005 to 2007.

• 22 Grand Slam singles titles
• 14 French Open titles
• Career Golden Slam
• 92 ATP singles titles
• Olympic gold medal in singles (2008)