Rafael Nadal

EARLY LIFE 

Rafael Nadal Parera was born June 3, 1986 in Manacor, Majorca, Spain.

His father Sebastián Nadal is a businessman who as well as owning Majorca-based insurance and glass and window companies, manages his own restaurant on the island, Sa Punta.

Rafael first began playing tennis at the age of three under the guidance of his uncle Tom, a former professional tennis player.

Rafael was born right-handed. He played two-handed on both sides as a small child and then with a one-handed forehand with his natural right arm. At the age of 9 or 10, his uncle switched him to a left-handed forehand and serve after seeing his perfect backhand moves.

At the age of 12 Rafael was introduced to French tennis player Richard Gasquet and has known him ever since.

TENNIS CAREER 

Rafael Nadal is nicknamed 'The King of Clay'. Many people consider him to have been the greatest ever tennis player on clay courts.

Nadal playing on clay. By Lijian Zhang - originally posted to Flickr. Wikipedia Commons

He has won 17 Grand Slam singles titles; eleven at the French Open, three at the US Open, two at Wimbledon and one at the Australian Open.

Nadal has won 32 ATP Masters Series titles, a former record, and the 2008 Olympic gold medal in singles.

As part of the Spain Davis Cup team, Nadal has won the cup four times, in 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2011.

PERSONAL LIFE

Though he is from Mallorca, Real Madrid is his favourite football club.

Rafa Nadal at the IMG@23 Players' Party at Crown in 2015. By Tourism Victoria from Australia - Wikipedia

Another uncle named Miguel was a footballer who played for Spain for over a decade. He also played for clubs such as RCD Mallorca and FC Barcelona.

He once beat retired Brazilian footballer Ronaldo in a charity poker match. Nadal’s win earned him $50,000 (£35,000) for his Rafa Nadal Foundation.

Nadal was raised a Catholic, but now calls himself an agnostic.

He is so superstitious that he is known to not let anyone move his water bottle from where he places it at the beginning of a tennis match.

His girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello was introduced to him by his sister, Maria Isabel.

He co-starred in the video for Shakira's song "Gypsy" playing the Columbian singer's love interest.

Source Mid-day.com