"I've always admired how disciplined Rafael Nadal is and his special attention" - Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star

Born June 3, 1986, Manacor, Mallorca, Spain

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star Date Of Birth

He won a record 13 career French Open Championships, and his total of 21 Grand Slam men's singles titles was the most in tennis history.

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star Date Of Birth

Rafael began playing tennis at the age of four, guided by his uncle, Toni Nadal, who remained his coach on the professional tour.

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star Date Of Birth

In his early years, Nadal (who wrote with his right hand) played left-handed tennis with both a two-handed forehand and a backhand.

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star Date Of Birth

When he was 12, however, his uncle encouraged him to adopt a more conventional left-handed style

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star Date Of Birth

When he was 12, however, his uncle encouraged him to adopt a more conventional left-handed style

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star Date Of Birth

Nadal, who officially turned professional in 2001, had appeared in only one Grand Slam tournament as a junior competitor when he reached the semifinals at the 2002 Wimbledon Championships

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star Date Of Birth

He began his professional career in earnest the next year, breaking into the top 50 in the world.  In 2004 he played a crucial role in Spain’s defeat of the United States in the Davis Cup final.

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star Date Of Birth

In 2005 Nadal set a record for a teenage male player by registering 11 tournament victories, including a triumph at his French Open (Roland Garros) debut, when he upset Federer in the semifinals

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star Date Of Birth

In 2007 Nadal extended his victories on clay surfaces to a record 81 consecutive matches before losing to Federer

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star 

Nadal and Federer met in a third consecutive Wimbledon final in 2008. This time Nadal won his fifth career Grand Slam title—in a five-set match lasting 4 hours 48 minutes, then the longest men’s singles final in Wimbledon history

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star 

Nadal and Federer met in a third consecutive Wimbledon final in 2008. This time Nadal won his fifth career Grand Slam title—in a five-set match lasting 4 hours 48 minutes, then the longest men’s singles final in Wimbledon history

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star 

In August 2008 Nadal won the men’s singles gold medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing, and he took over the number one world ranking from Federer in the same month.

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star 

Nadal was plagued by injuries throughout the remainder of the 2014 season, and he struggled to recover his form in 2015. During that year he failed to win a Grand Slam title

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star 

His best performance at a Grand Slam in 2016 was just a fourth-round elimination at the U.S. Open

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star 

by capturing his second career Olympic gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Games

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star 

by capturing his second career Olympic gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Games

Rafael Nadal Tennis Star