Spaniard Rafael Nadal joined the ranks of pro tennis competition in 2001 and competed in simply a single Grand Slam event as a junior rival. He made it all the way to the Wimbledon semifinals the next year and went on to win the French Open four sequential times between 2005 and 2008. He also made a men's singles gold medal in the 2008 Olympic Games in China.
Born in Manacor, Spain he caught a tennis racquet for the first time when he was just three years of age. Being a previous tennis player, his uncle Toni introduced him to the game and, as his coach, had a big influence on his development. Later he would serve as Rafael's coach on the professional tour.
Though he was naturally right-handed, his early playing strategy featured a two-handed backhand and forehand. At the age of 12, his uncle encouraged a more conventional left-handed style. The result was a two-handed backhand and an one-handed forehand that would become his signature stroke and at last raise him to superstar status.
His win over Andy Roddick, who was ranked second at the time, was instrumental in Spain's win over the US in the 2004 Davis Cup.
As a featured player on the Organisation of Professionals tour in 2005, he became rivals with Swiss player Roger Federer, who was the #1 ranked competitor at the time. That year he upset Federer in the semifinals and went on to win the French Open in his first appearance at Roland Garros. He beat Federer in the finals in 2006 to record his 2nd consecutive French Open victory.
His 11 competition wins in 2005 was a record for teenage male players. After besting his Swiss rival for a fourth consecutive title at Roland Garros he beat him at Wimbledon in a last match that took virtually five hours to complete. That victory made him the first man to gather Wimbledon and French Open victories in the same year since 1980 when Bjorn Borg accomplished the achievement.
He took the no 1 ranking from the Swiss pro in 2008, the same year he won the gold gong for men's singles in the Beijing Olympics. He finished a career Grand Slam in 2010 when he won his first U. S. Open title.
Rafael Nadal gives back to his country thru the philanthropic efforts of a foundation that bears his name. Established in 2008, the foundation concentrates on providing development aid for destitute children in Spain.
Born in Manacor, Spain he caught a tennis racquet for the first time when he was just three years of age. Being a previous tennis player, his uncle Toni introduced him to the game and, as his coach, had a big influence on his development. Later he would serve as Rafael's coach on the professional tour.
Though he was naturally right-handed, his early playing strategy featured a two-handed backhand and forehand. At the age of 12, his uncle encouraged a more conventional left-handed style. The result was a two-handed backhand and an one-handed forehand that would become his signature stroke and at last raise him to superstar status.
His win over Andy Roddick, who was ranked second at the time, was instrumental in Spain's win over the US in the 2004 Davis Cup.
As a featured player on the Organisation of Professionals tour in 2005, he became rivals with Swiss player Roger Federer, who was the #1 ranked competitor at the time. That year he upset Federer in the semifinals and went on to win the French Open in his first appearance at Roland Garros. He beat Federer in the finals in 2006 to record his 2nd consecutive French Open victory.
His 11 competition wins in 2005 was a record for teenage male players. After besting his Swiss rival for a fourth consecutive title at Roland Garros he beat him at Wimbledon in a last match that took virtually five hours to complete. That victory made him the first man to gather Wimbledon and French Open victories in the same year since 1980 when Bjorn Borg accomplished the achievement.
He took the no 1 ranking from the Swiss pro in 2008, the same year he won the gold gong for men's singles in the Beijing Olympics. He finished a career Grand Slam in 2010 when he won his first U. S. Open title.
Rafael Nadal gives back to his country thru the philanthropic efforts of a foundation that bears his name. Established in 2008, the foundation concentrates on providing development aid for destitute children in Spain.
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