Rafael Nadal
                     
Rafael nadal



Rafael Nadal 
THE CHAMPION


Nadal’s early life
Rafael Nadal was born as the eldest son 
of the two children of Sebastián Nadal, a 
businessman and Ana María Parera, on 3 
June 1986, in Manacor, Balearic Islands, 
Spain. His uncle Miguel Angel Nadal was 
a professional football player who played 
for the Spanish national team and another 
uncle Toni Nadal, was a former 
professional tennis player. Toni Nadal was 
the one who introduced Rafael to tennis 
when he was just three years old.

Image Source: 
tennisworldusa.org


Nadal’s professional life 
Until the age of 8, was the member of both football and tennis. Later when he won an under-12 regional 
tennis championship, the path was clear for him and at the age of Spanish tennis federation offered him 
advanced tennis training, for which he had to move to Barcelona. But his family turned down the offer.
At the age of 15, he became professional when he participated in two events on the ITF junior circuit. He 
won his first ATP match, defeating Ramón Delgado, on 29 April 2002, becoming the ninth player in the 
Open Era to do so at the age less than 16. In 2002, he won 6 singles tournaments and did not reach any 
doubles finals. 
In 2003, he was awarded the ATP Newcomer of the Year and was ranked at no. 49. In the same year, he 
participated in seven doubles tournaments and won his first ATP title at the clay-court Croatia Open in 
Umag.
In 2004, he was ranked at no. 34 and also competed against Roger Federer for the very first time, hence 
ranked no. 1, at the Miami Open. He also missed many matches in the same year due to a stress fracture 
in his left ankle. 
At the age of 18, he became the youngest player to win the singles in a Davis Cup final for his country.


Start of the legacy

Nadal holds the all-time record of 11 Roland Garros 
along with having won the most clay court titles i.e. 57 
titles. He has 11 Monte-Carlo Masters and 11 Barcelona 
titles under his name. He is the only one to win the 
most clay courts (81) in the Open Era. His achievements 
have also won him another title ‘the King of Clay’. He is 
one of the best tennis players all over the world and is 
the greatest clay-court player in tennis history.

Image source: 
pinimg.com


Playing style
Rafael’s uncle Toni Nadal was himself a tennis player and coached him for a long time 
(1990-2017). It was Toni who encouraged at home training for Rafael when the Spanish 
tennis federation offered him a training in Barcelona. He was also coached by Francisco 
Roig and Carlos Moyá along with Toni Nadal.

About Nadal’s playing style, Jimmy Connors says," He's built out of a mould that I think I 
came from also, that you walk out there, you give everything you have from the very first 
point to the end no matter what the score. And you're willing to lay it all out on the line 
and you're not afraid to let the people see that."

Toni Nadal taught him to play with both of his hands and he generally plays in an 
aggressive manner. His heavy topspin groundstrokes, consistency, speedy footwork and 
tenacious court coverage have helped him win many titles. Also being a football player, 
his footwork and speed around the court make him an excellent defender.


Equipment and Endorsement
 Kia Motors has been sponsoring Rafael since 2006 and he is the 

official brand ambassador of the company.
 Nike is Nadal's clothing and shoe sponsors and has released a 

range of sleeveless shirts paired with 3/4 length capri pants 
entitled with Nadal’s signature.

 In April 2009, he became the face of Lanvin's L'Homme Sports 
cologne.

 In 2010, he launched a range of ultra-light wristwatch with luxury 
watchmaker Richard Mille.

 In 2011, he became the face of Emporio Armani Underwear and 
Armani Jeans for the spring/summer becoming the first tennis 
player to endorse Armani products, replacing Cristiano Ronaldo.


Personal Life
Nadal used to live with his 
parents and sister Maria Isabel in 
the hometown of Manacor, 
Mallorca. His parents got 
separated in June 2009. Along 
with tennis and football, he also 
likes to play golf and poker. As a 
child, he also loved watching 
Goku (Japanese Cartoon series). 
In August 2011, he published his 
autobiography titled Rafa. Image Source: channel103.com


Australian Open 1

French Open 11

Wimbledon 2

US Open 3

Other Tournaments 3

Australian Open 2

Wimbledon 1

US Open 1

Other 
Tournaments

5

Grand Slams Singles

Grand Slams Doubles


Thank You!