Tennis Pro Rafael Nadal

For the last five years, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer (currently ranked number two in the world) have been in rivalry. In 2008, at the age of 22, Rafael was ranked as the world’s number one professional tennis player. Rafael is also the first Spaniard to win the Australian Open (2009).

Born on June 3, 1986 in Manacor, Majorca, to Sebastian Nadal and Ana Maria Parera, Rafael has one younger sister. One of Rafael’s uncles, Toni Nadal, a former professional tennis player, taught Rafael to play tennis when he was only three-years-old. Toni has been Rafael’s coach ever since. As a coach, Toni suggested that Rafael play tennis using left hand, since he had noticed that his nephew was playing forehand shots with both hands.

Rafael received professional training from his uncle as well as the advice of playing left handed. By the time Rafael was 12, he had won many titles in both Spanish and European tennis competitions. At the time, Refael also played football, but had to give it up later in order not to put strain on his education.

By the time Rafael reached 14, the Spanish Tennis Federation offered to send him for training elsewhere away from his hometown. His parents, fearing that this would hurt his school work, refused the offer. The uncle also opposed the idea of sending Rafael away, claiming that all the training could be done at his own home. Rafael’s father ended up paying all of the training expenses.