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What makes Nadal unique?
Thanks to his physical strength, Rafael Nadal could create his unique style of playing Tennis as He has a forehand that does not exist at all, He takes the racket around his head to produce such a hard forehand spin and flat which was his key to success in his career.
Tennis champion Rafael Nadal is one of the most successful players in the sport, having won 18 Grand Slam titles and 81 tournament titles. Here are 15 interesting facts about this icon of the tennis world:
1. Early Years
Nadal was born in Manacor, Majorca, Spain, on June 3, 1986. He started playing tennis when he was just three years old and was already competing professionally at the age of 15.
2. The King of Clay
Nadal is known for his dominance on clay courts, having won the French Open a record 12 times. He is consequently nicknamed “The King of Clay” and is considered one of the best clay court players of all time.
3. Winning Streaks
Nadal has held a run of 81 consecutive wins on clay courts, the longest winning streak in any professional surface. This lengthy winning streak ended in 2009, when he was defeated by Robin Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open.
4. Out of the Ordinary
One of Nadal’s most distinctive traits is his playing style, which is often described as “out of the ordinary.” He has been known to play a very aggressive forehand, which has been a key factor in his success on the court.
5. Fast Serve
Nadal is well-known for his powerful and fast serve, which is one of the most effective in the sport. His average serve speed is around 130mph, and his top speed has been measured at 141mph.
6. Tennis Record
Nadal has set numerous records throughout his career as a professional tennis player. One of his most impressive achievements is his record of winning the most singles matches on the ATP World Tour, with more than 950 matches.
7. Humanitarian Work
In addition to his success on the court, Nadal is also committed to philanthropic initiatives. He is an active supporter of several charitable organizations, such as the Fundación Rafa Nadal and the UNICEF.
8. Injury Struggles
Throughout his career, Nadal has faced numerous injuries, due to the intensity of his playing style. His longest injury spell came in 2016-2017, when he missed several months of the season due to a wrist injury.
9. Federer Rivalry
Nadal’s on court rivalry with Roger Federer has become a legend of the sport. The two have faced each other in 38 professional matches, and while Federer leads in head-to-head wins 24-14, Nadal leads in major titles.
10. Endorsement Deals
Nadal has built a successful career outside the court, having signed endorsement deals with some of the biggest companies in the world. He is currently an ambassador for Nike, Kia Motors, KHS Bicycles, and Pepsi.
11. Personal Life
Nadal has been romantically linked to longtime girlfriend Xisca Perello since 2005. The two are engaged now, and have no children as of 2021.
12. Favorite Books
Nadal is known to have a great love for literature. Two of his favorite books are The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrar.
13. Hobbies
Apart from tennis, Nadal’s hobbies include fishing, swimming, and playing the piano. He is said to have inherited his passion for music from his grandfather.
14. Business Ventures
In 2006, Nadal co-founded the company Rafael Nadal International Sports Management, which manages his image rights, various sponsorships, and financial investments.
15. 2019 Single Season Record Breaker
In 2019, Nadal became the first player in the Open Era to win five titles during one single ATP World Tour season. He achieved this feat by winning the titles in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, and Montreal.
Conclusion
Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest tennis players ever and is still making more history. However, his success does not only come from his performance on the court, but also from his humanistic side and his impressive business endeavors.
