By: Hunter England

 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

Rafa age 16 Winning a APT event in Spain

 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

Rafael Meeting his opponent after his semifinal lost Rafael winning his first APT amateur event

 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.

Hitting a Tennis ball? Won the Davis Cup at age 17

 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

At his second consecutive tournament win Practicing in the streets of Monte Carlo

 2004 Rafael beat Roger Federer at Miami Masters  Finally topping Roger Federer last year  Finally became #1 after beating Federer

Nadal vs. Federer Posing before match at Miami

 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.

Winning at Monte Carlo Celebrating win at Monte Carlo

 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

Nadal and his Girlfriend getting a bite At a Near by Beach with girlfriend

   Nadal