Interesting facts about tennis legend Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal, on October 10, confirmed that he will retire from tennis at the end of this season. A 22-time Grand Slam champion, Nadal will play his farewell match at the Davis Cup. The Spaniard will bow out with a record 92 ATP titles, including 36 at Masters 1000 events. Here are some interesting facts about King of Clay, Nadal.
Nadal's incredible winning streaks on clay
Nadal has the longest winning streak by a man on a surface in the Open Era. He won 81 matches on clay courts between April 2005 and May 2007. The Spanish ace also has a consecutive set winning streak of 50 on clay. Nadal also has the most consecutive wins at a tournament in the Open Era - Monte-Carlo Masters (46).
A record 16 titles before turning 20
Nadal broke into the professional tennis circuit at the age of 14. He was touted as a teen sensation in his early days. Rightly so, Nadal won 16 titles before turning 20, including his first French Open honor. This also included six Masters 1000 titles. Nadal, who also reached world number two in this period, became one of the most successful teenagers (ATP Tour).
The football connection!
It is worth noting that one of Nadal's uncles, Miguel Angel Nadal, was a professional footballer. The latter represented RCD Mallorca, FC Barcelona, and the Spanish national team. Rafa even met former Barcelona striker Ronaldo in his childhood. The former later enrolled at the Manacor Tennis Club, where his uncle Toni worked as a coach. His journey in the sport began thereafter.
Nadal won Davis Cup as an 18-year-old
In 2004, Nadal, as an 18-year-old beat then world number two Andy Roddick, which helped Spain beat the United States in the Davis Cup finals. He, therefore, became the youngest to claim a singles win in a Davis Cup final for a winning side.
