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Everything you need to know about Spanish former tennis icon and 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, who retired in November 2024, including his significant victories, rivalries and personal life.
Rafael Nadal is a Spanish former professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time.
Born in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain, on June 3, 1986, he began playing tennis at age four.
Known for his fierce determination, powerful forehand, and exceptional court coverage, Nadal dominated the sport for nearly two decades, winning 92 career titles.
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His dominance on clay courts earned him the nickname "King of Clay,” with a record 14 French Open titles solidifying his status as the most successful player on the surface in history.
He amassed an impressive 22 Grand Slam singles titles, placing him among the all-time leaders, with other achievements including 36 ATP Masters 1000 titles, two Olympic gold medals, and five Davis Cup titles with Spain.
Beyond his on-court prowess, Nadal is admired for his sportsmanship and humility, thus making him a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide, demonstrating resilience, dedication, and unwavering passion for the sport.
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In October 2024, Nadal announced his intention to retire in November 2024 after Davis Cup duty with Spain.
He played his final match against Botic van de Zandschulp on November 19, 2024, as Spain lost to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
Rafael Nadal Profile
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Full name: Rafael Nadal Parera
Birth date: June 3, 1986
Nationality: Spaniard
Place of birth: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Age: 38 years old (as of November 2024)
Turned pro: 2001
Retired: 2024
Plays: Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Height: 6 ft 1in (1.85 m)
Weight: 187 lbs (85 kg)
Parents: Ana Maria Parera Femenias and Sebastann Nadal Homar
Net worth: $220 million
Prize money: $117,427,672 (Singles) $134,946,100 (Singles and Doubles)
Instagram: @rafaelnadal
X: @RafaelNadal
How old is Rafael Nadal? (Rafael Nadal Age)
As of November 2024, Rafael Nadal is 38 years old.
Rafael Nadal Height
Rafael Nadal's height is officially listed as 1.85 meters (6 feet 1 inch).
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Where was Rafael Nadal born?
Rafael Nadal was born in Manacor, a town on the island of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
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It is almost impossible to mention Rafael Nadal without speaking about Roger Federer.
They are arguably the greatest rivalry in tennis history, and their matches produced some of the most unforgettable moments in the sport.
Nadal had the edge in their head-to-head 24-16, and the pair met in nine Grand Slam finals, with the Spaniard claiming six victories in those matches to Federer’s three.
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Their playing styles added to the fascination before their battles, with the left-handed "King of Clay” posing problems with his power and court coverage while the retired Swiss player's elegance, graceful movement and versatile shot-making pleased observers.
Nadal and Federer shared memorable matches on the ATP Tour, with some standouts the 2008 Wimbledon final — often called the greatest match ever — and the Australian Open deciders in 2009 and 2017.
Despite their intense on-court battles, they have immense respect for each other and have formed a strong friendship off the court. This was beautifully illustrated when they played doubles together in Federer's farewell match at the 2022 Laver Cup.
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Federer posted an emotional letter on social media before Nadal's final match at the Davis Cup on November 19, 2024.
Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic
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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's rivalry defined men's tennis for over a decade, with both titans pushing each other to the absolute limits, producing a surfeit of thrilling and memorable matches.
The Serbian leads their overall head-to-head 31-29, recently defeating the Spaniard at the Paris Olympics en route to clinching a gold medal.
Known for their incredible baseline rallies, physicality and mental fortitude, Nadal's forehand and relentless intensity battling Djokovic's exceptional court coverage and remarkable return of serve made for thrilling encounters.
Their 2012 Australian Open final, lasting 5 hours and 53 minutes — the longest match in the tournament's history and longest major singles decider of all time — is considered by many to be one of the greatest in tennis history. The Serbian superstar won the championship match 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5), 7–5.
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Djokovic was one of three players to beat the Spaniard at Roland Garros, a feat twice achieved in the 2015 Quarter-final and 2021 semi-final.
Robin Soderling's fourth-round triumph in 2009 was the first, and Alexander Zverev getting the better of the 22-time Grand Slam champion in the opening round in the 2024 tournament was the most recent in Nadal's last appearance at his favourite Grand Slam.
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20:28 - 27.05.2024
Rafael Nadal: Has Roland Garros seen the last of its greatest champion?
The 14-time French open winner exited at the first round for the first time but showed enough against Alexander Zverev to prove he retains his revered competitive spirit.
Rafael Nadal Grand Slams
Rafael Nadal won 22 Grand Slams in his career, clinching an amazing 14 Majors at the French Open and adding two at Wimbledon, two at the Australian Open and four at the US Open.
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Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz
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Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are at different stages of their careers, with the four-time Grand Slam winner at the beginning of his journey while Nadal is nearing retirement.
The Spanish players faced off three times on the ATP Tour, with the older player holding a 2-1 edge in their head-to-head.
They teamed up to represent Spain in the doubles competition at the Paris Olympics, even if their quest for gold was cut short in the quarter-finals, losing to the American duo of Austin Krajicek and Ram Rajeev.
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Rafael Nadal Olympics
Although Rafael Nadal's quest for victories in singles and doubles at the Paris Olympics was unsuccessful, the Spaniard clinched gold medals in the 2008 singles event and won the doubles event with Marc Lopez eight years later in Rio.
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Rafael Nadal Academy
The Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar is a high-performance tennis academy in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain. Founded by Rafael Nadal himself, it aims to develop young tennis players while providing them with a comprehensive education.
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Rafael Nadal Retirement
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Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from professional tennis on October 10, 2024, with his final tournament being the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, in November 2024.
This decision came after a long and incredibly successful career, but also one marked by recurring injuries, particularly in recent years.
He had struggled with a hip injury since the 2023 Australian Open that kept him off the court for the rest of that season, and he suffered other physical issues afterwards.
Nadal's final Davis Cup appearance in Malaga ended in defeat as he lost his singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp on November 19, 2024, contributing to Spain's quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands.
Following the tie, Nadal delivered a farewell speech, and a tribute video featuring highlights from his illustrious career and personal messages from iconic figures in sports was played on the arena's big screen.
Among those who sent messages were Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, current and ex-footballers Rodri, David Beckham, Iker Casillas, Raul and Andrés Iniesta, and golfer Sergio García.
Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Rafael Nadal's last match as a tennis player was against Botic van de Zandschulp.
The Spaniard and Dutchman faced off in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup on November 19, 2024, with the 29-year-old defeating the 92-time titlist in straight sets (6-4,6-4).
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Although Carlos Alcaraz gave Spain a lifeline by getting the better of Tallon Griekspoor in match two, the Netherlands secured the tie with a thrilling doubles victory to call time on Nadal's career.
Rafael Nadal Titles and Accomplishments
ATP Tour
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Grand Slams
French Open: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
Wimbledon: 2008, 2010
Australian Open: 2009, 2022
US Open: 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019
ATP Masters 1000
Monte Carlo: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018
Rome: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2021
Madrid Open: 2005, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017
Canada Masters: 2005, 2008, 2013, 2018, 2019
Indian Wells: 2007, 2009, 2013
Cincinnati Masters: 2013, 2017
Other ATP Tour Titles
Orange Prokom Open: 2004
Brasil Open: 2005, 2013
Mexican Open: 2005, 2013, 2020, 2022
Barcelona Open: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
Swedish Open: 2005
Stuttgart Open: 2005, 2007
China Open: 2005, 2017
Dubai Championships: 2006
German Open: 2008, 2015
Queen's Club Championships: 2008
Japan Open: 2010
Rio Open: 2014
Melbourne Summer Set: 2022
Olympic Games
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Beijing 2008 (Gold)
Doubles
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ATP Masters 1000
Monte-Carlo: 2008
Indian Wells: 2010, 2012
Other ATP Tour Titles
Umag: 2003
Chennai: 2004
Doha: 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015
Beijing: 2016
Olympics Games
Rio 2016 (Gold)
Team
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Davis Cup: 2004, 2009, 2011, 2019
Laver Cup: 2017, 2019
Rafael Nadal Parents
Rafael Nadal's parents are Ana Maria Parera Femenias and Sebastian Nadal Homar. They divorced in 2009 but reportedly reconciled two years later.
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Rafael Nadal Wife
Rafael Nadal tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello in October 2019 in Mallorca.
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She has a degree in business administration and is actively involved in the Rafa Nadal Foundation, a charity founded by Nadal to help disadvantaged children and youth.
The couple welcomed their first child in October 2022.
Rafael Nadal Son
Rafael Nadal and wife Maria Perello became parents for the first time in October 2022. Their son, named Rafael Nadal Perello, after his father, is two years old.
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Rafael Nadal Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Rafael Nadal’s net worth is $220 million. The retired tennis star has sponsorships with Babolat, Cantabria Labs, Heineken N.V., Infosys, KIA, LVMH, Nike, Richard Mille, Santander, Subway and Telefonica, among others.
Forbes estimates that Rafael Nadal earned over $550 million in pretax earnings throughout his career, with endorsements, appearances, and business ventures contributing more than $415 million to that total.
Rafael Nadal Social Media
Rafael Nadal maintains an active presence on social media platforms such as Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
As of November 2024, the Spaniard has 21.8 million Instagram followers and 15.4 million followers on X.
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