Rafael Nadal Parera (born 3 June 1986, Manacor, Mallorca, Spain) is a former Spanish tennis player who emerged in the early 21st century as one of the game’s leading competitors, especially noted for his performance on clay.
Nadal grew up in a sports-minded family; his uncle Miguel Angel Nadal was a professional association football (soccer) player who competed in the 2002 World Cup. Rafael began playing tennis at age four, guided by another uncle, Toni Nadal, who remained his coach on the professional tour. In his early years, Nadal (who wrote with his right hand) played left-handed tennis with both a two-handed forehand and backhand. When he was 12, however, his uncle encouraged him to adopt a more conventional left-handed style. Nadal stuck with his two-handed backhand but switched to what became his signature one-handed forehand, the stroke that was credited with lifting him into the sport’s upper echelons.
Nadal retired from the sport on 19 November 2024, after the conclusion the Netherlands vs Spain match in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.
Known For
Carlos Alcaraz: My Way
Self · (3 episodes)
2025
Rafael Nadal, sur la Terre du Roi
Self
2025
Nadal: King of Paris
2024
¡Qué suerte hemos tenido!
2024
Guga por Kuerten
Self · (5 episodes)
2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony
Self (torchbearer)
2024
NBC's Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony in IMAX
Self - Torchbearer
2024
Federer: Twelve Final Days
Self
2024
Roland Garros - 40 ans d'exploits
Self
2024
Nasty
Self - Winner of 22 Grand Slam Singles Titles
2024
The Netflix Slam
Self
2024
2022 Wimbledon Official Film
Self
2023
Nadal/Djokovic : Duel à Roland-Garros
Self
2023
Del Potro, el último match point
Self
2023
McEnroe
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2022
Seve: Artist, Fighter, Legend
2021
Rafa Nadal Academy
Self · (4 episodes)
2021
Roland-Garros : bâtir la légende
Self
2021
Rio Open: 7 Anos de Conquistas
Self (archive footage)
2021
Break Point: A Davis Cup Story
Self
2020
Nadal visto por Nadal
Rafael Nadal
2020
Wimbledon, 2019 Official Film
2020
Roger Federer - 20 ans de Grass
Self
2019
Wimbledon 2018 - Official Film Review
Self
2018
Strokes of Genius
Self
2018
La resistencia
Invitado · (1 episode)
2018
Red Clay Heroes
Self
2016
Serena
Self
2016
Emigratis
Self · (1 episode)
2016
Wimbledon The Official Film 2014
Self
2014
Roland Garros
Self
2014
MasterChef Junior
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2013
Wimbledon The Official Film 2013
Self
2013
Wimbledon - Official film 2012
Self
2012
Wimbledon 2011 Official Film
Self
2011
Wimbledon 2010 Official Film
Self
2010
Wimbledon Official Film 2009
Self
2009
Wimbledon 2008 Official Film
Self
2008
Wimbledon - Official film 2007
Self
2008
Zidane, un destin d'exception
Self
2007
Robinson Report
Self · (2 episodes)
2007
Wimbledon 2006 Official Film
Self
2006
El hormiguero
Self - Guest · (2 episodes)
2006
Wimbledon 2005 Official Film
Self
2005
60 Minutes
Self - Tennis Player · (1 episode)
1968
60 Minutes
Self · (1 episode)
1968
Rafa
Self · (1 episode)