A Peek at 21 Singles Majors Winner Rafael Nadal Career

Rafael Nadal created history in the Australian Open 2022. He became the 1st and only player to win 21 Grand Slam Championships in the open era. The 5+ hour’s game had all the drama and excitement, which truly signifies the win by the Spanish Legend.

He has always been a competitor and a fighter on-court like we witnessed in the final game. Coming back from 2 set down against winning the final against World number 2 Daniil Medvedev was not an easy task, but the spirited Rafa did the exact thing, what characterizes him. Let us go back in time and check Rafa’s glorified tennis career.

Rafael Nadal, 5 years wait for the 1st major trophy

2008 Olympic Gold medalist Nadal turned pro in the year 2001, at age of 15 years and 10 months. He was ranked 762 at that time, but his dedication towards the game allowed him to climb faster in the ranking. Reaching in the top 50 in just 2 years Rafa made his major’s debut in 2003 Wimbledon.

He was the youngest to reach 3rd round of the competition after Boris Becker, but couldn’t go beyond that. In 2004, the Spaniard became the youngest player to win a match in the Davis Cup for the winning nation. After the 4th round exit in the 2005 Australian Open, Rafa was ready for his debut French Open appearance.

In Semifinals he defeated the world number 1 Roger Federer and reached 1st ever major’s finals. He was against Mariano Puerta. And the determined “El Nino” didn’t miss a chance to clinch his 1st of many French Open titles. He became only the 2nd player to win French Open in his debut, and the youngest (after Pete Sampras) to win a Grand Slam.

No Stopping for Spain’s raging Bull

Though ranked as high as world number 2 that period of time, Rafa had mixed results in the next 3 grand Slams, but again in 2006, he proved his authority on Clay court winning 2nd French Open in a row. He dominated the French open like no one ever did, and won 4th in a row in 2008. He was an undisputed king on clay court.

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By then Rafael Nadal started to play in a similarly aggressive and dominating fashion in other tournaments also. His movements and play on Grass court and hard court were also perfected. In 2008 he won Olympic Gold, and Wimbledon tournament, along with the 4th French Open title and 2nd Davis Cup. Year ended with Rafa’s best ranking, Number 1 in the World.

Before winning his 21st Grand Slam, he was unstoppable on every surface, winning a total of 13 French Open, 4 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, and the 2009 Australian Open. The 20th title came in just 15 years from his debut Major championship.

He came back from many injuries and setbacks to win over the Tennis world.

Rafael Nadal, part of Big 3

Men’s tennis was considered to be dominated by 3 big names. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic. Swiss international, Federer was an established player when Rafa turned pro tennis player. With him, Rafa holds the record of longest top ranking for 4 consecutive seasons. Upcoming talent Novak Djokovic was also a great challenger for the 2.

Rafa had some great battles against the other two players, many of them in the finals. One of these 3 was always in the Grand Slam finals from 2005 to 2020. Out of possible 128 final appearances, these three had 82 appearances. Some of the finals played between either of 2 players.

Rafa made it into 28 Slam finals while Roger and Novak were part of 27 finals. Within themselves, they won 53 out of 64 Slams by 2020. Rafa leveled Federer with record 20 grand slams, while the Serb was on 17 Slams in his 15 years career.

Now, after winning the 2022 Australian Open, Rafa has broken some records, mainly the 21st singles Slam; most by male tennis players. Also, He became only the 4th player to win at least 2 of each Slam. The epic comeback from 2 set down in the finals is also a rare occurrence.

He halted Daniil Medvedev’s run of 37-0 wins after 1st set win. He also ensured his run of 13 defeats in major Tournaments after losing the first 2 sets.

A grand Salute and heartiest congratulations from all of us to Rafael Nadal, for such a blistering tennis career.

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