By: Hunter England

Rafael Nadal

Rafa’s Childhood

He was born June 3rd 1986 in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain.

Rafael Nadal picked up his first racquet at age three.

He has great sporting heritage as his Uncle is former F.C. Barcelona footballer Miguel Ángel Nadal

Childhood Pictures

Rafa age 16

Winning a APT event in Spain

Rafa’s Junior Years

2001: The year in which he turned pro at only age 15

In 2002, he won his first ATP match at Majorca at the age of 15, defeating Ramon Delgado to become the ninth player in the Open Era to win an ATP match before his 16th birthday.

Played his only junior Grand Slam event at Wimbledon in 2002 and reached SF

Junior Pictures

Rafael Meeting his opponent after his semifinal lost

Rafael winning his first APT amateur event

Early Accoplishments

He became the second-youngest player to be ranked among the world's top 100 singles players

Earned ATP Newcomer of the Year

At 17, he became the youngest ever Davis Cup player. Spain went on to win the final, with Nadal beating Andy Roddick in his singles rubber.

Early Pro Years

Hitting a Tennis ball?Won the Davis

Cup at age 17

#2 YEARS

He spent 160 weeks as world No 2 before finally toppling Roger Federer last year.

After Wimbledon, Nadal won 16 consecutive matches and three consecutive tournaments. He became number 2

Became first player to finish No. 2 for three consecutive years in history of ATP Rankings

#2 YEARS Pictures

At his second consecutive tournament win Practicing in the

streets of Monte Carlo

Beating Federer

2004 Rafael beat Roger Federer at Miami Masters

Finally topping Roger Federer last year

Finally became #1 after beating Federer

Beating Federer Pictures

Nadal vs. Federer

Posing before match at Miami

Other Competitions

He is one of three men to win a grand slam singles and Olympic singles title in the modern era.

This year he won the Monte Carlo Masters for the fifth consecutive year at the age of 22.

Nadal won his first junior tournament aged eight, and became Spanish and European champion at 12.

Other Competitions

Winning at Monte Carlo

Celebrating win at Monte Carlo

Regular Life

He still lives at home in Manacor, Majorca with his mother, father and sister.

Despite his wealth, he drives a Kia and uses his father's boat to go fishing.

When home alone, he sleeps with the television and all the lights on

Regular Life Photos

Nadal and his Girlfriend getting a bite

At a Near by Beach with girlfriend

THE END

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Nadal

http://www.mahalo.com/rafael-nadal

http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Rafael-Nadal