rafael nadal

Biography

Overview
One of the sport’s most-loved champions, Nadal’s list of career achievements is enviable. His legacy on and off the court stands tall among the world’s greatest sporting icons. Completing a career Grand Slam at 24, the Spaniard became the youngest man in the Open era to achieve the feat. In 2022, he won an all-time record 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, including 14 at Roland Garros. Nadal is returning for his fourth Laver Cup campaign with Team Europe in Berlin.

Off Court
Nadal launched the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in May 2016, which combines high-level tennis and education. Teaching the values of sportsmanship, commitment, fellowship and effort that have defined Nadal’s career, the academy expanded to Mexico in 2019 and runs an international junior tennis circuit. He has won the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award five times. Hailing from Mallorca, Nadal is married to Maria Francisca Perello and they have a son, almost two, Rafael Jnr. Nadal was a flagbearer for Spain at the 2016 Rio Olympics and carried the Olympic torch in Paris at the Opening Ceremony in July.

Career
As the winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, Nadal is one of the sport’s most prolific champions. He is also a four-time Davis Cup champion, two-time Olympic gold medallist and helped Team Europe win the inaugural Laver Cup in 2017 and again at Geneva in 2019. The left-handed Spaniard has been ranked world No.1 for 209 weeks and finished the year-end No. 1 five times. He has been a constant force in the world’s top 10 since April 2005, amassing 92 ATP singles titles, including 36 ATP Masters 1000 trophies.

2024 Highlights
Runner-up: Bastad
Quarterfinals: Brisbane
R16: Madrid
2R: Barcelona, Rome, Paris Olympics