Rafael Nadal, one of the three pillars of the 20th-century Tennis World, announced his retirement from Tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in November. The Tennis Legend confirmed his retirement via a social media video in which he expressed emotions about his illustrious career and its highs and lows. Nadal has won the most Men's Grand Slam titles in the game's history. Novak Djokovic (24) is above him in the list, while Roger Federer has 20 titles to his name.
Here's a look at all the records and achievements of Rafael Nadal -
Grand Slams
Nadal holds the second-most major titles and the third-most wins, with an impressive 22 Grand Slam titles over a career spanning more than two decades. He is joined by only two other players with 20 or more singles titles: Novak Djokovic (24) and Roger Federer (20). Nadal has won each major at least twice, with his record achievements including 14 French Open titles, 2 Australian Opens, 2 Wimbledons, and 4 US Opens. Additionally, he ranks third for singles match wins at Grand Slams, boasting a record of 314 wins against 44 losses.
Roland Garros
Nadal has established himself as a dominant force at the French Open, earning the title of King of Clay. He has won the tournament 14 times (2005-2008, 2010-2014, 2017-2020, and 2022), far surpassing Bjorn Borg, who has 6 titles. Nadal also holds the record for the most titles at a Grand Slam and on a single surface (clay), with a perfect record in French Open finals at 14 wins.
ATP Titles
Nadal has amassed a remarkable 92 ATP titles, making him one of only five men with more than 90 singles titles. He is alongside Jimmy Connors (109), Roger Federer (103), Novak Djokovic (99), and Ivan Lendl (94). Nadal has also claimed 36 ATP Masters 1000 titles, the second-most after Djokovic (40), and holds the record for the most match wins in these tournaments, totaling 410.
Grand Slam Dominance
Nadal has achieved the extraordinary feat of winning four Grand Slam titles without dropping a set—specifically at the French Open in 2008, 2010, 2017, and 2020. No other male player has more than three such titles.
ATP Match Wins
With over 1,000 ATP match wins (1,080), Nadal is one of only five men to reach this milestone. He ranks fourth all-time in wins, trailing only Jimmy Connors (1,274), Roger Federer (1,251), and Novak Djokovic (1,122), while Ivan Lendl has 1,068 wins.
Achievements
Nadal's career includes several unique milestones. He is the youngest player to achieve the Career Grand Slam (winning all four majors) and the Career Golden Slam (winning all four majors plus Olympic singles gold) in the Open Era. In 2022, he became the fourth player in tennis history to complete the Double Career Grand Slam, winning each major at least twice.
Nadal has held the world number one ranking in singles across three different decades: the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. He also boasts the longest winning streak by a male player on any surface in the Open Era, winning 81 consecutive clay-court matches from April 2005 to May 2007. Furthermore, he is the only male player to have won Olympic gold medals in both singles and doubles across two separate Games.
Awards
Nadal has received numerous accolades, including being named ATP Player of the Year five times (2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, and 2019) and ITF World Champion five times (2008, 2010, 2017, 2019, and 2022). He was also recognized as the ATP Newcomer of the Year in 2003 and has won three Spanish National Sports awards (2006, 2008, and 2017).
