Rafa was back on court, and the fans loved it. On 3 October 2026 Rafael Nadal played the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam in Manacor to mark the academy's tenth anniversary, his first appearance in front of a crowd since retiring. Team Rafa beat Team Murray 4–3, with Nadal and Carlos Moyá winning the deciding doubles 7–5.
It was a reminder of what tennis lost when he walked away in November 2024: 22 Grand Slams, 92 titles and the most relentless competitor the sport has seen. Here is his story. Find his designs in our tennis collection.
Rafael Nadal Fact File
| Full name | Rafael Nadal Parera |
| Date of birth | 3 June 1986 (age 40) |
| Place of birth | Manacor, Mallorca, Spain |
| Height | 1.85m (6ft 1in) |
| Plays | Left-handed, two-handed backhand |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Status | Retired (November 2024) |
| Turned pro | 2001 |
| Nickname | Rafa |
Career History
| Years | Grand Slams won | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2005–2007 | 3 | French Open hat-trick |
| 2008–2010 | 6 | Wimbledon 2008, Olympic gold, career Grand Slam |
| 2011–2014 | 5 | French Open titles 6 to 9, US Open 2013 |
| 2015–2016 | 0 | Olympic doubles gold in Rio |
| 2017–2019 | 5 | Two more US Opens, year-end No.1 at 33 |
| 2020–2022 | 3 | Australian Open 2022, 14th French Open |
| Career | 22 | 92 titles, 1,080 wins |
Grand Slam singles titles by period. Career figures are ATP tour-level singles titles and match wins.
The Boy From Manacor
Coached from childhood by his uncle Toni, Nadal turned professional in 2001 at just 14. He won his first tour title in Poland in August 2004 and that December helped Spain lift the Davis Cup. A year later, aged 19, he won the French Open at the first attempt.
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Clay, Grass and the Greatest Final
On clay Nadal was almost unbeatable, winning 81 matches in a row on the surface between 2005 and 2007, an Open Era record. In 2008 he finally beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon, 9–7 in the fifth set after four hours and 48 minutes, in a final many still call the greatest ever played. That summer he won Olympic singles gold in Beijing and became world No. 1, and in 2010 he won the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open to complete the career Grand Slam.
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Fourteen Times in Paris
Roland Garros became his kingdom. He won the French Open 14 times between 2005 and 2022 and finished with a record of 112 wins and just four defeats there. In 2021 the tournament unveiled a statue of him beside its new entrance, and in May 2025 it held a farewell ceremony on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray joined him on court.
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The Comebacks and the Farewell
Nadal's toughness defined his later years. At the 2022 Australian Open final he came from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in five hours and 24 minutes, his 21st major, and he added a 14th French Open months later. He played his final event for Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Málaga in November 2024.
Honours
Grand Slams (22)
- French Open: 14 (2005–2008, 2010–2014, 2017–2020, 2022)
- US Open: 4 (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)
- Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 2010)
- Australian Open: 2 (2009, 2022)
Olympics and team
- Olympic gold: singles (Beijing 2008), doubles with Marc López (Rio 2016)
- Davis Cup: 5 titles with Spain
Rankings
- World No. 1 for 209 weeks; year-end No. 1 five times (2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)
- 36 Masters 1000 titles; 92 ATP singles titles
Away From the Court
The Rafa Nadal Foundation, founded in 2008, opened a school in Anantapur, India, in 2010. The Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor opened in 2016 and celebrated its tenth anniversary this autumn.
FAQs
How old is Rafael Nadal?
Rafael Nadal was born on 3 June 1986, so he is 40.
Where was Rafael Nadal born?
He was born in Manacor, on the island of Mallorca, Spain, where his academy is based.
How tall is Rafael Nadal?
Nadal is 1.85m (6ft 1in).
How many Grand Slams did Rafael Nadal win?
He won 22 Grand Slam singles titles: 14 French Opens, four US Opens, two Wimbledons and two Australian Opens.
When did Rafael Nadal retire?
Nadal retired after representing Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Málaga in November 2024.
What was Rafael Nadal's greatest match?
Many fans pick the 2008 Wimbledon final, when he beat Roger Federer 9–7 in the fifth set as darkness fell.
Shop the Rafael Nadal Collection
Four made-to-order designs for Rafa's fans.
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Roger Federer Career Story and Serena Williams Career Story.
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