Childhood and Education Journey of Rafael Nadal in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Rafael Nadal. A timeline of key moments.

Rafael Nadal is a retired Spanish professional tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He held the world No. 1 ranking for 209 weeks and finished five years as the top-ranked player. Nadal has won 92 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including a record-breaking 22 major titles, 36 Masters titles, and an Olympic gold medal. He is among the few to achieve a career Golden Slam in singles. His dominance on clay is highlighted by an Open Era record of 81 consecutive wins on the surface.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

June 1986: Rafael Nadal Born

In June 1986, Rafael Nadal was born in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain, marking the beginning of the life of a future tennis legend.

1990: Toni Nadal Begins Coaching Nadal

In 1990, Toni Nadal began coaching his nephew Rafael Nadal, starting at the age of 4 and continuing until 2017.

1999: Trained by Toni Colom

From 1999 Nadal was trained with his uncle Toni Colom, who traveled with Nadal at mainly Futures events for the next four years.

2000: Decision to Stay in Mallorca

In 2000, the Spanish tennis federation requested Nadal move to Barcelona for training, but his family declined, opting to keep him in Mallorca under Toni Nadal's guidance.

2003: End of Futures Events

In 2003, Nadal stopped going to Futures events.

2005: Nadal Leaves Balearic School

After 2005, Nadal left the structure of the Balearic School and created his own team.

2005: Start of Success

From 2005 Nadal and Toni Nadal won 16 major titles together.

2007: Interacting With Fans

In 2007, Nadal would interrupt his training sessions on the public courts of Manacor, just to hit a few balls with fans and foreign tourists that had asked him to.

February 2008: Official presentation of the Fundación Rafa Nadal

In February 2008, the Fundación Rafa Nadal was officially presented at the Manacor Tennis Club in Mallorca, aiming to help disadvantaged children through sports.

December 2008: Staged a charity sports event with Iker Casillas

In December 2008, Nadal and Iker Casillas staged a charity sports event, including an indoor football match, a tennis match, and a go-kart race.

June 2009: Parents separated

In June 2009, reports emerged that Nadal's parents, Ana María and Sebastián, had separated, which Nadal said affected him.

February 2010: Featured in Shakira's "Gypsy" Music Video

In February 2010, Nadal was featured in the music video for Shakira's "Gypsy", filmed in Barcelona.

July 2010: Became a shareholder of RCD Mallorca

In July 2010, it was reported that Nadal had become a shareholder of RCD Mallorca (owning 10%).

2010: Allowed in Spanish national team locker room after FIFA World Cup Final victory

Following Spain's victory in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final, Nadal, a fervent supporter, was one of six people not affiliated with the team allowed to enter the team's locker room.

2010: Participated in Hit for Haiti and Match for Africa charity events

In 2010, Nadal participated in the Hit for Haiti charity event during the Australian Open to support Haiti earthquake victims. He also played in the Match for Africa exhibition matches against Roger Federer, raising funds for their respective foundations.

August 2011: Autobiography Published

In August 2011, Nadal's autobiography, Rafa, written with John Carlin, was published.

2012: Purchased a house in Porto Cristo

In 2012, Nadal purchased a house in Porto Cristo for about 4 million euros, located near his family home.

2012: Received physical therapy and PRP therapy for knee injuries

In late 2012, Nadal received over six months of physical therapy, along with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, for chronic knee injuries.

2016: Cameo in RedOne's Music Video

In 2016, Nadal made a cameo appearance in the music video for RedOne's "Don't You Need Somebody".

2017: Toni Nadal Ends Coaching Nadal

In 2017, Toni Nadal stopped coaching his nephew Rafael Nadal.

2017: Australian tennis federation partnered with Nadal's Academy

In 2017, the Australian tennis federation agreed to partner with Nadal's Academy to allow their players use it as their European training base.

October 2018: Opened tennis academy to victims of Majorca flood and donated €1 million

In October 2018, during the Majorca flood, Nadal opened his tennis academy to the victims. One day after the flood he helped the victims in the clean up process and donated €1 million for rebuilding Sant Llorenç des Cardassar.

2018: Featured in Mario Tennis Aces Ad

In 2018, Nadal was featured in a new ad for the 2018 tennis game Mario Tennis Aces, part of the Mario Tennis series.

January 2019: Engagement reported

In January 2019, Nadal's engagement to María Francisca (Mery) Perelló Pascual was reported.

October 2019: Married María Francisca Perelló

In October 2019, Nadal married María Francisca (Mery) Perelló Pascual at the La Fortaleza castle in Port de Pollença, Majorca.

2019: Opened Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre Mexico

In 2019, Nadal opened the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre Mexico

October 2020: Competed in the Balearic Golf Championship

In October 2020, Nadal competed in the professional-level Balearic Golf Championship, obtaining a World Amateur Golf Ranking in the process.

2020: Joined efforts to combat COVID-19 and pledged support to Food Bank of Mallorca

In 2020, Nadal joined Pau Gasol and the Red Cross to raise 11 million euros to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fundación Rafa Nadal also pledged to support the Food Bank of Mallorca, aiming to collect 3,000 kg of food.

2020: Opened Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait

In 2020, Nadal opened the Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait.

2021: Four-episode series about Rafa Nadal Academy aired

In 2021, a four-episode series about the Rafa Nadal Academy was aired on Amazon Prime and Movistar and was broadcast in 244 countries.

October 2022: Welcomed son Rafael

On 8 October 2022, Nadal and his wife had a son named Rafael.

2022: Appears in Federer Documentary

In 2022, Nadal appeared in the documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days about Roger Federer's final tournament before his retirement, the 2022 Laver Cup.

April 2023: Fundación Rafa Nadal partnered with UNESCO through its Fit for Life project

On 6 April 2023, the Fundación Rafa Nadal announced a partnership with UNESCO through its Fit for Life project, designed to tackle physical inactivity, recovery from COVID-19, mental health issues, and inequality.

2024: Nadal to promote tennis in Saudi Arabia and open a Rafa Nadal Academy

As of 2024, Nadal will promote tennis in Saudi Arabia and open a Rafa Nadal Academy there.

2024: Appears in Federer Documentary

In 2024, Nadal appeared in the documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days about Roger Federer's final tournament before his retirement, the 2022 Laver Cup.