Rafael Nadal facts for kids
![]() Nadal in 2024
|
||||||||||||||
Full name | Rafael Nadal Parera | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Country (sports) | ![]() |
|||||||||||||
Residence | Porto Cristo, Mallorca, Spain | |||||||||||||
Born | Manacor, Mallorca, Spain |
3 June 1986 |||||||||||||
Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | |||||||||||||
Turned pro | 2001 | |||||||||||||
Retired | 19 November 2024 | |||||||||||||
Plays | Left-handed (two-handed backhand) | |||||||||||||
Prize money | US $134,946,100
|
|||||||||||||
Singles | ||||||||||||||
Career record | 1080–228 (82.6%) | |||||||||||||
Career titles | 92 (5th in the Open Era) | |||||||||||||
Highest ranking | No. 1 (18 August 2008) | |||||||||||||
Grand Slam singles results | ||||||||||||||
Australian Open | W (2009, 2022) | |||||||||||||
French Open | W (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022) | |||||||||||||
Wimbledon | W (2008, 2010) | |||||||||||||
US Open | W (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019) | |||||||||||||
Other tournaments | ||||||||||||||
Tour Finals | F (2010, 2013) | |||||||||||||
Olympic Games | W (2008) | |||||||||||||
Doubles | ||||||||||||||
Career record | 142–77 (64.8%) | |||||||||||||
Career titles | 11 | |||||||||||||
Highest ranking | No. 26 (8 August 2005) | |||||||||||||
Grand Slam doubles results | ||||||||||||||
Australian Open | 3R (2004, 2005) | |||||||||||||
Wimbledon | 2R (2005) | |||||||||||||
US Open | SF (2004) | |||||||||||||
Other doubles tournaments | ||||||||||||||
Olympic Games | W (2016) | |||||||||||||
Team competitions | ||||||||||||||
Davis Cup | W (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2019) | |||||||||||||
Signature | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||
Medal record
|
Rafael "Rafa" Nadal Parera (born June 3, 1986) is a Spanish tennis player who recently retired. He was known as the "King of Clay" because he was incredibly good on clay courts. Rafa was ranked the world's No. 1 player for 209 weeks. He finished as the year-end No. 1 five times.
Nadal won 92 singles titles during his career. This includes 22 major titles, which is a lot! He holds a record of 14 wins at the French Open. He also won 36 Masters titles and two Olympic gold medals. Nadal is one of only three men to achieve the "career Golden Slam" in singles. This means he won all four major tournaments and an Olympic gold medal. He also holds the record for 81 straight wins on clay courts.
For almost 20 years, Nadal was one of the top players in men's tennis. He played alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. These three players are often called the "Big Three." Nadal became very successful as a teenager. He reached world No. 2 and won 16 titles before he turned 20. His first major win was the 2005 French Open.
Nadal became world No. 1 in 2008. He beat Federer in an amazing Wimbledon final. This was his first major win on a surface other than clay. He then won an Olympic singles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In 2010, Nadal won the 2010 US Open. This made him the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the "career Grand Slam" at age 24. He was also the first man to win majors on three different surfaces in the same year.
Nadal won major singles titles for 10 years in a row, from 2005 to 2014. He did it again from 2017 to 2020. He also won 11 doubles titles, including an Olympic gold medal in 2016. In 2022, he won the 2022 Australian Open. This made him the male player with the most Grand Slam singles titles at the time. He also became one of only four men to complete the "double career Grand Slam." This means he won each major tournament at least twice. Nadal retired from tennis in November 2024 after playing for Spain in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.
Nadal is left-handed when he plays tennis. One of his biggest strengths was his powerful forehand. He often hit the ball with a lot of topspin. His playing style was perfect for clay courts. He won 63 of his 92 singles titles on clay. Nadal won the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award five times. He was also named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2011 and 2021. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022. He won two Olympic gold medals for Spain. He also helped Spain win five Davis Cup titles. Nadal has a tennis academy in Mallorca and helps many charities.
Early Life and Training
Rafael Nadal Parera was born on June 3, 1986. He grew up in Manacor, a town on the island of Mallorca, Spain. His father, Sebastián, is a businessman. His mother, Ana María, used to own a perfume shop. Rafa has a younger sister named María Isabel.
One of his uncles, Miguel Ángel Nadal, was a professional footballer. He played for famous teams like FC Barcelona. As a child, Rafa loved football and looked up to the Brazilian footballer Ronaldo. Another uncle, Toni Nadal, was a tennis coach. He introduced Rafa to tennis when Rafa was just three years old.
Rafa started playing tennis at the Manacor Tennis Club. Toni worked there as a coach. Rafa loved football more at first, playing often in the streets with friends. But he started playing tennis more regularly when he was five. Toni quickly saw that Rafa had a special talent for tennis. Toni was a tough coach. He would make Rafa pick up balls and sweep the courts. Rafa even said he sometimes cried after lessons with Toni.
When Rafa was 8, he won an under-12 regional tennis championship. He was also a good football player. This win made Toni train Rafa even harder. Toni noticed that Rafa used a two-handed forehand. He encouraged Rafa to play left-handed. This would give him a natural advantage in tennis. It was hard for Rafa to change, but Toni helped him practice until he got used to it.
Career Highlights
Starting as a Pro
Nadal became a professional tennis player in 2001 when he was 14. He reached the semi-finals of the junior singles event at Wimbledon in 2002. He also helped Spain win the Junior Davis Cup.
In 2001, at age 14, he played in his first professional tournaments. In May 2001, he beat former Grand Slam champion Pat Cash in a clay-court exhibition match. He got his first professional win in September 2001. By the end of 2001, he was ranked No. 811 in the world.
In 2002, Nadal won his first ATP match at the Mallorca Open. He was only 15 years old. He became one of the youngest players to win an ATP match. He finished 2002 ranked No. 199.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 2003, Nadal kept improving. He won his first Challenger title in Barletta. He then beat Albert Costa, who was ranked No. 7, at the Monte Carlo Masters. This was his first win against a top 10 player. He entered the world's top 100.
Nadal made his major tournament debut at Wimbledon. He reached the third round, becoming the youngest man to do so since Boris Becker in 1984. He won his first ATP doubles title in Umag in 2003. He also won the ATP Newcomer of the Year Award. He finished 2003 ranked No. 49.
First Big Wins
In 2004, Nadal won his first ATP singles title at the Prokom Open. He also played a key role in the 2004 Davis Cup final. He beat world No. 2 Andy Roddick to help Spain win the title. At 18 years old, he was the youngest player to win a singles match in a winning Davis Cup final.
In 2005, Nadal had an amazing year. He won 24 matches in a row on clay. He won the 2005 Monte Carlo Masters and the Italian Open. These wins made him a favorite for the 2005 French Open. On his 19th birthday, he beat Roger Federer in the French Open semi-finals. He then won the final, becoming the second man to win the French Open on his first try. He also became the first male teenager to win a major singles title since Pete Sampras in 1990. His ranking rose to No. 3.
Nadal then won his first hard-court title at the Canada Masters. He beat Andre Agassi in the final. This brought his ranking to No. 2, where he stayed for the next three years behind Roger Federer. He won 11 titles in 2005, breaking a record for teenagers. He was named ATP Most Improved Player of the Year.
French Open Dominance and Rivalries
In 2006, Nadal missed the Australian Open due to injury. But he beat Roger Federer in the final of the Dubai Open. This ended Federer's 56-match winning streak on hard courts.

Nadal continued his clay court success. He beat Federer in the finals of the 2006 Monte Carlo Masters and the 2006 Italian Open. The Italian Open final lasted over five hours and is considered a key moment in the Federer–Nadal rivalry. Nadal then broke a 29-year record for most consecutive clay-court wins. He won his second 2006 French Open. He beat Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, which was their first match. He then beat Federer in the final, becoming the first player to defeat Federer in a major final.
Nadal reached his first Wimbledon final in 2006. He lost to Federer, who won his fourth straight Wimbledon title. Nadal finished 2006 ranked No. 2 for the second year in a row.
In 2007, Nadal won titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Rome. His amazing 81-match winning streak on clay ended when he lost to Federer in Hamburg. But he quickly bounced back. He won his third straight 2007 French Open title, beating Federer again in the final. He became one of only two men to win three French Open titles in a row.
Becoming World No. 1
In 2008, Nadal reached the semi-finals of the 2008 Australian Open for the first time. He won his fourth straight Monte Carlo title, beating Federer again. He also won his fourth straight Barcelona title. Nadal then won his first Hamburg Masters title, beating Federer.
He then won the 2008 French Open without losing a single set. He beat Federer in the final for the third year in a row. This was Nadal's fourth straight French Open title, tying a record.
Nadal faced Federer in the Wimbledon final for the third year. This match is considered one of the greatest in tennis history. It lasted almost five hours. Nadal won in the fifth set, ending Federer's streak of five straight Wimbledon titles. By winning Wimbledon, Nadal became the third man in the Open Era to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.
Nadal won the 2008 Rogers Masters in Toronto. At the Beijing Olympics, he won the gold medal in singles. With this win, Nadal became the world No. 1 on August 18, 2008. This ended Federer's four-and-a-half-year reign at the top. Nadal finished 2008 as the year-end No. 1, the first Spaniard to do so.
More Major Titles
In 2009, Nadal won his first 2009 Australian Open title. He beat Federer in a five-set final. This was his first major title on a hard court. He also won the doubles title at the Qatar Open. Nadal won his 13th Masters tournament at Indian Wells.
He won his fifth straight Monte Carlo title, a record. He also won Barcelona and the Italian Open. At the Madrid Open, he saved three match points to beat Djokovic in a very long match. He then lost to Federer in the final, which was his first clay-court loss in 33 matches.
Nadal broke a record for most consecutive wins at the French Open. But his streak ended when he lost to Robin Söderling in the fourth round of the 2009 French Open. This was Nadal's first loss ever at the French Open. He then missed Wimbledon due to knee injuries. Nadal helped Spain win its fourth Davis Cup title in December.
Career Golden Slam and Surface Slam
In 2010, Nadal won Monte Carlo for the sixth straight year. He also won the Italian Open and Madrid. He became the first man to win all three clay-court Masters 1000 titles in one year.
At the 2010 French Open, Nadal won his fifth title without losing a set. He regained the world No. 1 ranking. He then won his second 2010 Wimbledon Championships title. At the 2010 US Open, Nadal reached his first final there. He beat Novak Djokovic to complete his first "Career Grand Slam." He also became the second male player to complete a "Career Golden Slam." He was the first man to win majors on clay, grass, and hard courts in the same year. Nadal finished 2010 as the year-end No. 1.

In 2011, Nadal won Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He then lost to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Italian Open and Madrid Open. This ended his 37-match winning streak on clay. However, he won his sixth 2011 French Open title, beating Roger Federer. At 2011 Wimbledon Championships, he lost to Novak Djokovic in the final. This was his first loss at Wimbledon since 2007. Nadal helped Spain win the Davis Cup title in December.
Continued Success and Injuries
In 2012, Nadal reached the final of the 2012 Australian Open. He lost to Novak Djokovic in a five-set match that lasted almost six hours. It was the longest Grand Slam final ever. Nadal won Monte Carlo for the eighth time in a row, a record. He beat Djokovic in the final. He also won Barcelona.
At the 2012 French Open, Nadal won his seventh title. He beat Novak Djokovic in the final. This made him the most successful male player at the French Open, passing Björn Borg. Nadal then had to end his season early due to knee injuries. He finished 2012 ranked No. 4.
In 2013, Nadal returned from injury. He won titles in Brazil and Acapulco. He won Indian Wells, beating Roger Federer and Juan Martín del Potro. He then won his eighth title at Barcelona and his third title at Madrid. He also won his seventh title at the Italian Open.
Nadal won his eighth 2013 French Open title. He beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling semi-final and David Ferrer in the final. This made him the first man to win any major eight times. He then lost in the first round of 2013 Wimbledon Championships to Steve Darcis. This was his first loss in the first round of a major.
Nadal won the 2013 Rogers Cup and Cincinnati. He then won his fourth 2013 US Open title, beating Djokovic in the final. This completed his "Summer Slam." He regained the No. 1 ranking in October and finished 2013 as the year-end No. 1.
In 2014, Nadal won the Qatar Open. He reached the final of the 2014 Australian Open but lost due to a back injury. He won the Rio Open. Nadal won his 27th Masters title at Madrid. He then won his ninth 2014 French Open title, beating Novak Djokovic. This tied him with Pete Sampras for 14 Grand Slam wins. He then lost in the fourth round of 2014 Wimbledon Championships to Nick Kyrgios. Nadal missed the rest of the season due to a wrist injury and appendix surgery.
Later Career and Retirement
2015 was a tough year for Nadal with more injuries. He lost early in many tournaments. He lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the 2015 French Open. This ended his streak of 39 straight wins in Paris. He won his first grass-court title since 2010 at the Mercedes Cup. But he lost early at Wimbledon and the US Open. This was the first year since 2004 that he didn't win a Grand Slam.

In 2016, Nadal won his 28th Masters title in Monte Carlo. He won his ninth Barcelona title. At the French Open, he had to withdraw due to a left wrist injury. This injury also made him miss Wimbledon. At the Rio 2016 Olympics, he won the gold medal in men's doubles with Marc López. This made him the second man to win Olympic gold in both singles and doubles.
In 2017, Nadal reached the final of the 2017 Australian Open, losing to Roger Federer in five sets. He then dominated the clay season. He won his 29th Masters title in Monte Carlo, his tenth title there. He also won his tenth Barcelona title. At Madrid, he won his 30th Masters title.
Nadal won a record tenth 2017 French Open title. He didn't lose a single set in the tournament. This achievement was called "La Décima" (The Tenth). He then won his third 2017 US Open title. He became world No. 1 again in August. Nadal secured the year-end No. 1 ranking for the fourth time in his career.
In 2018, Nadal won his 11th Monte Carlo title and his 11th Barcelona title. He broke a record by winning 50 consecutive sets on clay. He won his 8th Rome title. At the 2018 French Open, Nadal won his 11th title, his 17th Grand Slam overall. He lost to Novak Djokovic in a long semi-final at 2018 Wimbledon Championships. He won the 2018 Rogers Cup, his 33rd Masters title. He had to retire from the US Open semi-final due to knee pain.
In 2019, Nadal reached his fifth Australian Open final but lost to Novak Djokovic. He won his first tournament of the year in Rome, beating Djokovic. At the 2019 French Open, Nadal won his 12th title. He beat Roger Federer in the semi-finals and Dominic Thiem in the final. This broke the record for most singles titles won at the same major. He reached the Wimbledon semi-finals, losing to Federer. He won the 2019 Rogers Cup. At the 2019 US Open, Nadal won his fourth title, beating Daniil Medvedev in five sets. Nadal secured the year-end No. 1 ranking for the fifth time. He also helped Spain win its sixth Davis Cup title.
In 2020, Nadal won his third Mexican Open title. He won his 13th 2020 French Open title, beating Novak Djokovic. This was his 20th Grand Slam title, tying Roger Federer's record. It was also his 100th win at the French Open. He became the fourth man to reach 1,000 ATP Tour victories. Nadal finished 2020 as world No. 2.
In 2021, Nadal lost in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Australian Open. He won his 12th Barcelona Open title in a very long final. He also won his 10th Italian Open title, beating Novak Djokovic. At the 2021 French Open, he lost to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. This was only his third loss ever at the French Open. Nadal ended his 2021 season early due to a left foot injury.
In 2022, Nadal had a fantastic start. He won the Melbourne Summer Set 1. He then won his second 2022 Australian Open title, his 21st major title. He came back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in the final. This made him the male player with the most major singles titles. He also became the second man to complete the "double Career Grand Slam." He won the Mexican Open without losing a set. He reached the Indian Wells final but lost due to a rib injury.
At the 2022 French Open, Nadal won his 14th title. He beat Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and Casper Ruud in the final. He became the oldest French Open champion ever. After treating his foot injury, Nadal returned to Wimbledon. He reached the semi-finals but had to withdraw due to an abdominal injury. He finished 2022 ranked No. 2.
In 2023, Nadal struggled with injuries. He lost in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open due to a hip injury. He didn't play any more tournaments in 2023. As a result, he left the Top 10 rankings for the first time since 2005.
In 2024, Nadal returned to the tour. He played in Brisbane, Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome. He lost in the first round of the 2024 French Open to Alexander Zverev. This was his final match at Roland Garros, ending with an amazing record of 112 wins and only 4 losses. In July, he reached his last career ATP Tour final at the Swedish Open. He then competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. He lost to Novak Djokovic in singles and reached the quarterfinals in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
On October 10, 2024, Nadal announced he would retire after playing for Spain in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in November. He played his final professional match at the Davis Cup Finals in Málaga. After his match, he received a special tribute with a video of his career highlights and messages from other tennis legends.
Rivalries
Rafael Nadal had amazing rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. These three players are often called the "Big Three" because they dominated tennis for so long.
Nadal vs. Federer
Nadal and Federer played each other 40 times. Nadal won 24 of those matches. They were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for many years. They played in nine major finals, which is a record. From 2006 to 2008, they played in every French Open and Wimbledon final. Nadal won six of their nine major finals. Their match at Wimbledon in 2008 is often called the greatest tennis match ever.
Nadal vs. Djokovic
Nadal and Djokovic played each other 60 times, more than any other pair in the Open Era. Djokovic won 31 matches, and Nadal won 29. They played a record 18 Grand Slam matches and nine major finals. Nadal was better on clay courts, while Djokovic was better on hard courts.
In 2011-2012, they played in four major finals in a row. The 2012 Australian Open final lasted almost six hours and was the longest Grand Slam final ever. Many of their matches are considered some of the greatest in tennis history.
Legacy and Impact
Rafael Nadal won the second-most major men's singles titles (22) in tennis history. He also holds the record for the most "Big" titles (59) since 1990. He was ranked in the Top 10 for a record 912 weeks in a row.
He is known as the "King of Clay" because of his incredible success on clay courts. He won a record 14 French Open titles. He also won 12 Barcelona Open titles, 11 Monte-Carlo Masters titles, and 10 Italian Open titles. His 14 French Open titles are a record for any single tournament. He also holds records for the longest winning streaks on clay.
Nadal is one of only three men to win the "Career Golden Slam" in singles. He is the only male player to win an Olympic gold medal in both singles and doubles. He is also one of four men to complete the "double Career Grand Slam."
Nadal has received many awards. He was named ITF World Champion five times and ATP Player of the Year five times. He won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award twice. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Many tennis experts and former players consider Nadal to be one of the greatest players in tennis history. His rivalries with Djokovic and Federer helped make tennis even more popular.
Playing Style
Nadal played an aggressive game from behind the baseline. He hit powerful groundstrokes with a lot of topspin. He was known for his amazing athleticism and speed on the court. He could hit winning shots even from tough positions. He also had great dropshots.
Nadal's forehand was a huge weapon. He hit it with a special "lasso-whip" motion. This allowed him to put more topspin on the ball than almost anyone else. His shots often bounced very high, making it hard for opponents to return them.
Early in his career, some people worried that Nadal's intense playing style would lead to many injuries. But he showed incredible strength and kept coming back from injuries. He was admired for his toughness and ability to play through pain.
Off the Court
Personality and Habits
Even with all his success, Nadal is known for being humble and down-to-earth. His uncle Toni made sure he stayed that way. He rarely bragged about his wins and always treated his rivals with respect. He would often stay after matches to sign autographs for fans.
Nadal is also known for his on-court rituals. He always waited for his opponent to cross the net before changing sides. He avoided stepping on the lines. He would carefully line up his water bottles near his chair, with the labels facing out. He said these rituals helped him stay calm and focused during matches.
Family and Life
Rafael Nadal married María Francisca (Mery) Perelló Pascual in October 2019. They had been dating since 2005. In October 2022, they had a son named Rafael. Mery Perelló is the director of the Fundación Rafa Nadal, his charity foundation.
Nadal was raised Catholic but now identifies as an agnostic atheist. His native languages are Spanish and Catalan. He also speaks English.
Other Interests
Nadal loves football. His favorite clubs are RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF. He is a big supporter of the Spain national football team. He even became a shareholder of RCD Mallorca in 2010.
Nadal also enjoys playing golf and poker. He has competed in professional golf tournaments.
Charity Work
In 2007, Nadal started the nonprofit Fundación Rafa Nadal. This foundation helps disadvantaged children and teenagers through sports. His wife, María Perelló, is the director.
Nadal has participated in many charity events. He played in "Hit for Haiti" to help earthquake victims in 2010. He also played exhibition matches with Roger Federer to raise money for their foundations. In 2018, when his home island of Mallorca had a big flood, Nadal opened his tennis academy to victims. He also personally helped clean up and donated €1 million to help rebuild the affected town.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nadal helped raise money for the Red Cross. His foundation also collected food for people in Mallorca. In 2023, his foundation partnered with UNESCO for a project to promote physical activity. The Fundación Rafa Nadal received the Laureus Sport for Good Award in 2024.
Nadal has received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award for his charity work.
Rafa Nadal Sports Centre
Nadal owns the Rafa Nadal Sports Centre in his hometown of Manacor, Mallorca. This center includes the Rafa Nadal Academy. Young tennis players from all over the world train there. Nadal's uncle Toni Nadal is the head of the academy. Nadal also has similar tennis centers in Kuwait, Mexico, and Greece. He will also promote tennis in Saudi Arabia and open an academy there.
Images for kids
-
Singles ranking composite history chart through January 2020 (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic)
-
Nadal wearing his signature Nike sleeveless shirt at the French Open in 2007, while holding his Babolat racquet
Career Statistics
Grand Slam Tournament Performance Timeline
W | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Q# | A | NH |
Tournament | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | SR | W–L | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australian Open | A | 3R | 4R | A | QF | SF | W | QF | QF | F | A | F | QF | 1R | F | QF | F | QF | QF | W | 2R | A | 2 / 18 | 77–16 | 83% |
French Open | A | A | W | W | W | W | 4R | W | W | W | W | W | QF | 3R | W | W | W | W | SF | W | A | 1R | 14 / 19 | 112–4 | 97% |
Wimbledon | 3R | A | 2R | F | F | W | A | W | F | 2R | 1R | 4R | 2R | A | 4R | SF | SF | NH | A | SF | A | A | 2 / 15 | 58–12 | 83% |
US Open | 2R | 2R | 3R | QF | 4R | SF | SF | W | F | A | W | A | 3R | 4R | W | SF | W | A | A | 4R | A | A | 4 / 16 | 67–12 | 85% |
Win–loss | 3–2 | 3–2 | 13–3 | 17–2 | 20–3 | 24–2 | 15–2 | 25–1 | 23–3 | 14–2 | 14–1 | 16–2 | 11–4 | 5–2 | 23–2 | 21–3 | 24–2 | 11–1 | 9–2 | 22–1 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 22 / 68 | 314–44 | 88% |
Rafael Nadal career statistics
Year–End Championships Performance Timeline
Tournament | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | SR | W–L | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ATP Finals | Did not qualify | A | SF | SF | A | RR | F | RR | A | F | A | SF | A | RR | A | RR | SF | DNQ | RR | Did not qualify | 0 / 11 | 21–18 | 54% |
Rafael Nadal career statistics
Olympic Gold Medal Matches
Singles: 1 (1 Gold medal)
Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 2008 | Summer Olympics (Beijing) | Hard | ![]() |
6–3, 7–6(7–2), 6–3 |
Doubles: 1 (1 Gold medal)
Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 2016 | Summer Olympics (Rio) | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 3–6, 6–4 |
Records
All-Time Tournament Records
Tournament | Since | Record accomplished | Players matched |
---|---|---|---|
Grand Slam tournaments |
1988 | Career Golden Slam Winning all 4 majors and the Olympic gold medal in singles |
Andre Agassi Novak Djokovic |
Career Golden Slam + Olympic gold medal in doubles | Stands alone | ||
1978 | Surface Slam Winning majors on 3 different surfaces in a calendar year (2010) |
Novak Djokovic | |
1877 | 14 singles titles at one major – French Open | Stands alone | |
14 finals contested at one major – French Open | Stands alone | ||
112 match wins at one major – French Open | Stands alone | ||
1925 | 112 match wins at clay court majors | Stands alone | |
96.6% match-winning percentage at clay court majors | Stands alone | ||
4 French–US title doubles (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019) | Stands alone | ||
1877 | 15 years winning 1+ title (2005–2014, 2017–2020, 2022) | Stands alone | |
10 consecutive years winning 1+ title (2005–2014) | Stands alone | ||
10 title defences (2006–08, 2011–14, 2018–2020) | Roger Federer | ||
10 title defences at one major – French Open | Stands alone | ||
4 titles without losing a set | Stands alone | ||
4 titles without losing a set at one major – French Open | Stands alone | ||
3+ titles in 3 separate decades (2000s – 6, 2010s – 13, 2020s – 3) | Stands alone | ||
2+ titles in 3 separate decades | Stands alone | ||
Won the same major twice in 3 separate decades – French Open | Stands alone | ||
Longest Grand Slam final by duration (5 hours 53 minutes) | Novak Djokovic | ||
French Open | 1891 | 14 men's singles titles | Stands alone |
14 finals overall (2005–08, 2010–14, 2017–19, 2020, 2022) | Stands alone | ||
5 consecutive titles (2010–14) | Stands alone | ||
10 title defences (2006–08, 2011–14, 2018–2020) | Stands alone | ||
4 titles without dropping a set (2008, 2010, 2017, 2020) | Stands alone | ||
112 match wins | Stands alone | ||
39 match win streak (2010–15) | Stands alone | ||
96.6% match-winning percentage | Stands alone | ||
2+ titles in 3 separate decades (2000s – 4, 2010s – 8, 2020s – 2) | Stands alone | ||
1+ title in 3 separate decades | Stands alone | ||
Australian Open | 1905 | Longest final by duration (5 hours 53 minutes) | Novak Djokovic |
All Tournaments / ATP Tour | 2009 | Clay Slam Winning Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, and French Open in a calendar year (2010) |
Stands alone |
1899 | Summer Slam Also referred to as the "North American Hardcourt Slam". Winning Canada, Cincinnati, and US Open in a calendar year (2013) | Patrick Rafter Andy Roddick |
|
1973 | 23 match wins against world No. 1 players | Stands alone | |
912 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 | Stands alone | ||
18 consecutive years in the Top 10 | Stands alone | ||
ATP Finals | 1970 | 16 consecutive years qualifying for the ATP Finals (2005–2020) | Stands alone |
ATP Masters 1000 | 1990 | 11 titles won at a single tournament – Monte Carlo | Stands alone |
12 finals contested at a single tournament – Monte Carlo and Rome | Novak Djokovic | ||
8 consecutive titles won at a single tournament – Monte Carlo (2005–2012) | Stands alone | ||
26 clay court titles overall | Stands alone | ||
9 title defences at a single tournament – Monte Carlo | Stands alone | ||
10+ titles at two tournaments – Monte Carlo and Rome | Stands alone | ||
4 consecutive titles in a season (2013) | Novak Djokovic | ||
7 years winning 3+ titles (2005–2018) | Stands alone | ||
15 years winning 1+ title (2005–2021) | Stands alone | ||
10 consecutive years winning 1+ title (2005–2014) | Stands alone | ||
73 match wins at a single tournament – Monte Carlo | Stands alone | ||
46 consecutive match wins at a single tournament – Monte Carlo (2005–2013) | Stands alone | ||
79 matches played at a single tournament – Monte Carlo | Roger Federer | ||
20+ finals reached on two different surfaces (hard – 20, clay – 33) | Stands alone | ||
76 semifinals | Stands alone | ||
99 quarterfinals | Stands alone | ||
21 consecutive quarterfinals (2008–2010) | Stands alone | ||
82.00% match-winning percentage | Stands alone | ||
ATP 500 Series | 1990 | 12 titles won at a single tournament – Barcelona | Stands alone |
15 titles won without losing a set | Stands alone | ||
14 consecutive years winning 1+ title (2005–2018) | Stands alone | ||
66 match wins at a single tournament – Barcelona | Stands alone | ||
41 consecutive match wins at a single tournament – Barcelona | Stands alone | ||
70 matches played at a single tournament – Barcelona | Stands alone | ||
Monte Carlo Masters | 1897 | 11 men's singles titles | Stands alone |
12 finals overall (2005–2013, 2016–18) | Stands alone | ||
8 consecutive titles (2005–2012) | Stands alone | ||
9 consecutive finals (2005–2013) | Stands alone | ||
5 titles without dropping a set (2007–08, 2010, 2012, 2018) | Stands alone | ||
73 matches wins (2005–2021) | Stands alone | ||
46 match win streak (2005–2013) | Stands alone | ||
79 matches played (2005–2021) | Stands alone | ||
17 editions played (2003–2021) | Fabrice Santoro | ||
Barcelona Open | 1953 | 12 men's singles titles | Stands alone |
12 finals overall (2005–09, 2011–13, 2016–18, 2021) | Stands alone | ||
5 consecutive titles (2005–09) | Stands alone | ||
9 titles without dropping a set (2005, 2007, 2009, 2011–13, 2016–18) | Stands alone | ||
3 three-peats (2005–09, 2011–13, 2016–18) | Stands alone | ||
Italian Open | 1930 | 10 men's singles titles | Stands alone |
12 finals overall (2005–07, 2009–2014, 2018–19, 2021) | Novak Djokovic | ||
3 consecutive titles (2005–07) | Stands alone | ||
6 consecutive finals (2009–2014) | Stands alone | ||
69 match wins (2005–2022) | Stands alone | ||
17 consecutive match wins (2005–07) | Stands alone | ||
77 matches played (2005–2022) | Stands alone | ||
Madrid Open | 2002 | 5 men's singles titles | Stands alone |
8 finals overall (2005, 2009–2011, 2013–15, 2017) | Stands alone | ||
2 consecutive titles (2013–14) | Stands alone | ||
3 consecutive finals (2009–2011 & 2013–15) | Stands alone | ||
Mexican Open | 1993 | 4 men's singles titles | David Ferrer Thomas Muster |
5 finals overall (2005, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2022) | David Ferrer | ||
4 titles without dropping a set (2005, 2013, 2020, 2022) | Stands alone |
Open Era Records
- These records were achieved during the Open Era of tennis.
- Records in bold mean Nadal is the only one to achieve them.
- Records in italics are still active streaks.
- ^ Means a consecutive streak.
Time span | Selected Grand Slam tournament records | Players matched | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2005 French Open – 2010 US Open |
Career Golden Slam | Andre Agassi Novak Djokovic |
|
2005 French Open – 2010 US Open |
Youngest to achieve a Career Golden Slam (24) | Stands alone | |
Youngest to achieve a Career Grand Slam (24) | Stands alone | ||
2010 French Open – 2010 US Open |
Surface Slam | Novak Djokovic | |
Simultaneous holder of majors on clay, grass, and hard courts | Novak Djokovic | ||
2008 French Open – 2008 Wimbledon, 2010 French Open – 2010 Wimbledon |
Channel Slam Winning French Open and Wimbledon consecutively in a calendar year |
Rod Laver Björn Borg Roger Federer Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz |
|
2008 French Open – 2008 Summer Olympics |
Simultaneous holder of Olympic gold medal in singles and majors on clay and grass courts |
Stands alone | |
2010 French Open — 2018 French Open |
16 semifinals won spanning non-consecutive tournaments | Stands alone | |
2007 French Open – 2020 French Open |
8 major finals reached without losing a set | Stands alone | |
2011 Wimbledon – 2012 Australian Open |
3 consecutive runners-up finishes at majors | Stands alone | |
2005 French Open – 2022 French Open |
Longest span between titles (16 years 11 months 30 days) | Stands alone | |
Longest span between finals contested (16 years 11 months 30 days) | Stands alone |
Time span | Grand Slam tournaments | Records at each Grand Slam tournament | Players matched | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009–2022 | Australian Open | Longest gap between titles (13 years) | Stands alone | |
2022 | Won final from two sets down | Jannik Sinner | ||
2012 | Longest final by duration (5 hours 53 minutes) | Novak Djokovic | ||
2005–2022 | French Open | 14 titles overall | Stands alone | |
14 finals overall | Stands alone | |||
2010–2014 | 5 consecutive titles | Stands alone | ||
5 consecutive finals | Stands alone | |||
2006–08, 2011–14, 2018–2020 | 10 title defences | Stands alone | ||
2005–2022 | 15 semifinals overall | Stands alone | ||
2017–2022 | 6 consecutive semifinals | Novak Djokovic | ||
2005–2024 | 112 match wins overall | Stands alone | ||
96.6% (112–4) match winning percentage | Stands alone | |||
2010–2015 | 39 consecutive match wins | Stands alone | ||
2008, 2010, 2017, 2020 | 4 titles won without losing a set | Stands alone | ||
2005–2022 | 2+ titles in three separate decades | Stands alone | ||
1+ title in three separate decades | Stands alone | |||
2005 | Won title on the first attempt | Mats Wilander |
Time span | Other records | Players matched | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2002–2024 | 84.4% (985–183) outdoor match winning percentage | Stands alone | |
985 outdoor match wins | Stands alone | ||
2002–2024 | 90.5% (484–51) clay court match winning percentage | Stands alone | |
2005–2007 | 81 consecutive match wins on a single surface (clay) | Stands alone | |
2004–2014 | 52 consecutive semifinal wins on a single surface (clay) | Stands alone | |
2017–2018 | 50 consecutive sets won on a single surface (clay) | Stands alone | |
2005–2013 | 46 consecutive match wins at a single tournament (Monte Carlo) | Stands alone | |
2008 | 32 consecutive match wins across 3 different surfaces | Stands alone | |
2004–2022 | 90 outdoor titles | Stands alone | |
2005–2022 | 58 outdoor Big Titles | Novak Djokovic | |
2005–2021 | 35 outdoor Masters titles | Stands alone | |
2004–2022 | 63 clay-court titles | Stands alone | |
2005–2022 | 40 clay-court Big Titles | Stands alone | |
2004–2022 | 30 titles won without losing a set | Stands alone | |
30 outdoor titles won without losing a set | Stands alone | ||
2004–2020 | 26 clay-court titles won without losing a set | Stands alone | |
2004–2022 | 19 consecutive seasons winning 1+ title | Stands alone | |
2005–2022 | 18 consecutive seasons winning 2+ titles | Novak Djokovic | |
11+ titles at a single tournament (French Open, Barcelona, Monte Carlo) | Stands alone | ||
2005–2012 | 8 consecutive titles at a single tournament (Monte Carlo) | Stands alone | |
2004–2006 | 16 titles won as a teenager | Björn Borg | |
2004–2022 | 23 match wins against world No. 1 players | Stands alone | |
2008–2020 | Ranked world No. 1 in three different decades | Stands alone | |
2005–2023 | Most consecutive weeks in the Top 10 (912) | Stands alone | |
2005–2022 | Most year-end Top 2 finishes (13) | Stands alone | |
Most year-end Top 4 finishes (15) | Roger Federer Novak Djokovic |
||
Most year-end Top 5 finishes (16) | Roger Federer Novak Djokovic |
||
Most year-end Top 10 finishes (18) | Roger Federer | ||
Most consecutive years in the Top 10 (18) | Stands alone |
Professional Awards
- ITF World Champion (5): 2008, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2022
- ATP Player of the Year (5): 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019
- Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year: 2006
- Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year (2): 2011, 2021
- Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year: 2014
- BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year: 2010
- Davis Cup Most Valuable Player: 2019
- ATP Newcomer of the Year: 2003
- ATP Most Improved Player of the Year: 2005
- Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award (5): 2010, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
- ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year: 2011
- ATP Comeback Player of the Year: 2013
- ATP Fan's Favourite Award: 2022
See also
In Spanish: Rafael Nadal para niños
- List of career achievements by Rafael Nadal
- Forbes list of the world's top-10 highest-paid athletes
- All-time tennis records – Men's singles (since 1877)
- Open Era tennis records – Men's singles (since 1968)
- List of Grand Slam–related tennis records (since 1877)
- List of Grand Slam men's singles champions (since 1877)
- List of Olympic medalists in tennis (since 1896)
- List of ATP Tour top-level tournament singles champions (since 1990)
- Tennis Masters Series singles records and statistics (since 1990)
- ATP Tour records (since 1990)
- List of ATP number 1 ranked singles tennis players (since 1973)
- World number 1 ranked male tennis players (all-time)
- 2016 Summer Olympics national flag bearers
- Tennis in Spain