Four-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal surpassed Roger Federer as the world's number one tennis player in mid-August 2008. The Spaniard knocked Federer off a throne he had owned for more than four-and-a-half years (237 weeks). And at the 2009 Australian Open, Nadal beat Federer for his sixth Grand Slam event title and 31st ATP Tour win. But the 22-year-old Nadal remains grounded and humble.
Rafael Nadal And Uncle Toni
Rafael Nadal was born on 3 June 1986 and grew up on the Spanish island Mallorca. He was given a tennis racket at 4 years old and his uncle Toni took the youngster under his wing and turned him into a superstar tennis player. Nadal actually is right-handed in his everyday life but plays left-handed on the tennis court. "Uncle Toni" remains Nadal's most important advisor and coach.
Professional Beginning
The Spanish ace joined the men's professional circuit in 2001 and played mainly at the Challenger and Future levels. The next year Nadal won his first ATP Tour match as a 16-year-old and collected a number of Future tour titles. He also played as a junior at the Grand Slam events and reached the Wimbledon semi-final in 2002. Nadal made a 600-point improvement in the world rankings and finished the season in the Top 200. In 2003, he began to finally establish himself on the ATP Tour, reaching the Top 50 by the end of the year.
2004: First ATP Win In Sopot, Davis Cup Title With Spain
The 2004 season started off in fine fashion with Nadal reaching the Auckland final. He eventually collected his first ATP Tour win in Sopot, Poland on clay. Nadal made headlines in Miami when he beat Roger Federer. And Nadal and compatriot Tommy Robredo reached the doubles semi-finals at the US Open. Nadal finished the ATP season ranked No. 51. But his year finished with an absolute highlight as he helped Spain capture the Davis Cup trophy over the United States, which included a Nadal victory over American star Andy Roddick.
2005: First French Open Crown, 11 ATP Titles
The 2005 campaign was Nadal's true coming out party as he collected 11 ATP titles, eight of them on clay. He won four Master Series events among his 79 match victories - 50 on clay. After missing the 2003 and 2004 French Opens due to injuries, Nadal played at Roland Garros for the first time and won straight away - for his first Grand Slam crown. Mats Wilander was the only other tennis player to win the event in his debut in 1982. And at 19 years and 2 months, "Rafa" was the youngest Grand Slam event winner since Pete Sampras. Nadal also collected his first hardcourt event in Montreal as well as his first indoor title in Madrid. And Nadal was ranked No. 2 in the world at the end of the season.
2006: Record Streak On Clay, Defends Paris Title
Nadal's early season saw him beat World No. 1 Federer four times - in Dubai (hard court), Monte Carlo, Rome and Paris (all clay). Nadal then was successful in defending his French Open title in 2006, in the mean time setting a new record for consecutive victories on clay at 60, passing Guillermo Vilas's mark of 53 matches in 1973. Nadal also became the first Spaniard to reach the Wimbledon final since Manuel Santana in 1966, showing he can play on grass as well.
2007: Six ATP Wins, Third Straight Roland Garros Crown
Nadal's 2007 season included six ATP Tour wins - among them his third straight French Open crown. But his clay-court winning streak was snapped at 81 matches when he lost to Federer in Hamburg. Nadal also lost to Federer again in the Wimbledon final.
2008: Fourth Straight French Open, Wimbledon Triumph, Olympic Gold and ATP No. 1
The 2008 season proved to be Nadal's most amazing thus far. He captured his fourth consecutive Roland Garros crown - this time without dropping a single set. Nadal also finally got the best of Federer in the Wimbledon final in five sets. The Spaniard then collected the individual gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. And in August he took over as World No. 1.
2009: First Australian Open Title
Nadal started the 2009 with his first ever Australian Open crown, beating Federer in five sets for his sixth Grand Slam crown and 31st ATP Tour win. He also improved his all-time mark against Federer to 13-6.
Can Nadal get the "Grand Slam"?
Should Nadal win his fifth straight French Open, second consecutive Wimbledon crown and first ever U.S. Open title, the Spaniard would become the second man in the open era to win all four Grand Slams in a single calendar year - Rod Laver the other.
