Rafael Nadal: The Matches, The Stats, The Fashion, The Impact
Celebrate Rafa's amazing career.
Rafael Nadal saw his prolific tennis career come to an end on Tuesday, November 19 in the Davis Cup Finals, when Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands.
📸 PHOTOS: Rafa arrives in Malaga for final career event
This page chronicles just some of the Spaniard's unique impact on the game, both on and off the court, and will continuously be updated.
I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience. Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal, 22-time Grand Slam champion and King of Clay, retires from tennis at Davis Cup
Rafa may have been humble. But he was also deeply driven.
PLUS: Babolat pays tribute to Rafael Nadal with retirement video, specially-designed racquet bag
Nadal loses to van de Zandschulp in what would prove to be his final match
The Dutchman also snapped the Spainiard's 20-year Davis Cup singles win streak
READ MORE: After loss, Rafa says he wouldn't pick himself to play in semis, should Spain advance
Tributes pour in
👉 Serena Williams: "You inspired me to be better, to play harder, for fight, to never give up, and to win more. No excuses just play the sport."
👉 Roger Federer: *"Your old friend is always cheering for you"
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'Gracias Rafa:' Experiencing Nadal’s final farewell at 2024 Davis Cup
No matter where you look or who you talk to in Malaga, there’s only one man on everybody’s minds ahead of the Davis Cup Finals.
22 Rafael Nadal quotes that sum up his fighting spirit and unique sense of humor
As the former world No. 1 prepares to hang up his racquets, here is Nadal talking tennis philosophy, finding joy through suffering, his biggest rivalries and more.
Bob Bryan on Rafael Nadal the doubles player: “The ultimate competitor”
“Doesn’t matter what event it is, singles, doubles, mixed,” says the U.S. Davis Cup captain.
Rafael Nadal's records that may never be broken
👉 No. 5: Twenty-three career wins over world No. 1s
👉 No. 4: 912 straight weeks in the Top 10
👉 No. 3: A Career Golden Slam at age 24
👉 No. 2: Multiple majors in three decades
👉 No. 1: Winning Roland Garros 14 times
McGrogan: Rafael Nadal never won the ATP Finals, but it's not like he didn't have success there
He beat all of his Big Four rivals in the season-ending championship, and twice reached the final.
Tignor: Rafael Nadal is an all-time great sportsman, but he is also something more
The 22-time Grand Slam champion is a philosophy in motion, a model for how to face up to life.
READ MORE: Zheng Qinwen salutes “legend” Rafa in Wuhan after retirement announcement
Rafael Nadal announces retirement from professional tennis, will play last match at Davis Cup
The 22-time Grand Slam champion released a heartfelt video thanking fans for their support over a career spanning over two decades.
READ MORE: Social Reaction: Rafa’s peers and rivals 'reject' his application to retire
Behind the lens: The magic of Rafael Nadal, red clay and Roland Garros
Five photographers reflect on capturing nearly two decades worth of Rafa moments in Paris.
Rafael Nadal Fashion Retrospective: From sleeveless tops and “pirate” pants to bold and bright in Nike
Turn back the clock and enjoy the evolution of the Spaniard's iconic apparel.
Rafael Nadal’s career stats, and where they place him in tennis history
From 22 career Grand Slam titles to 209 weeks at No. 1 and Olympic gold, there’s a lot to cover.
French Connection: Appreciating Rafael Nadal’s First 11 Roland Garros championships
The most impressive wins, and closest calls, from the King of Clay's title runs on the terre battue.
The 10 Matches That Made Rafael Nadal the King of Clay, Part 1
👉 MATCH 1: 2003 Monte Carlo, second round: Nadal d. Albert Costa, 7-5, 6-3
👉 MATCH 2: 2004 Davis Cup, final: Nadal d. Andy Roddick, 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-2
👉 MATCH 3: 2005 Rome, final: Nadal d. Guillermo Coria, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (6)
👉 MATCH 4: 2005 Roland Garros, semifinal: Nadal d. Roger Federer, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
👉 MATCH 5: 2006 Rome, final: Nadal d. Roger Federer, 6-7 (0), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (5)
The 10 Matches That Made Rafael Nadal the King of Clay, Part 2
👉 MATCH 6: 2009 Madrid, semifinals: Nadal d. Novak Djokovic, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (9)
👉 MATCH 7: 2011 Davis Cup, final: Nadal d. Juan Martin del Potro, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (0)
👉 MATCH 8: 2012 Roland Garros, final: Nadal d. Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
👉 MATCH 9: 2013 Roland Garros, semifinal: Nadal d. Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 9-7
👉 MATCH 10: 2022 Roland Garros, quarterfinal: Nadal d. Novak Djokovic, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4)