It’s an unfulfilled dream for the World Number five [https://www.atptour.com/en/players/dominic-thiem/tb69/overview], Dominic Thiem [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/dominic-thiem/] as for the second consecutive year, the Austrian falls to the ‘King of Clay’, Rafael Nadal [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/rafael-nadal/] on Court Philippe-Chatrier during the French Open 2019 finals. Unlike last year, Thiem could take away one set from Rafa, but soon after the Spaniard dropped the second set, he switched on his beast mode to lift his 12th crown in Paris. “Very tough right now, because I gave everything I have these two weeks. Rafa, well done I’m very sad to lose, but you are such an amazing champion, such a legend of the sport. Amazing 12 times here, unreal. I will try next year again for sure. I honestly love this tournament with all my heart. I love all you people with all my heart”, Dominic Thiem said. It was a pale ending for, Dominic Thiem after taking out Gael Monfils and Karen Khachanov and later snapping Novak Djokovic [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/novak-djokovic/]’s Grand Slam winning streak at Roland-Garros. His win over the Serb was surreal and that semifinal match could have gone both ways. Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal [http://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2019-06-09-at-8.12.29-PM.png]Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal The 25-year-old cherished his five-set semifinal Slam victory over the World Number tennis player. “I just went from heaven to hell, I guess,” he mentioned after his loss to Rafa. Nevertheless, the new era clay courter, Dominic Thiem looks forward to overcoming the unreal clay champion. “My level dropped in the 3rd and Rafa was ruthless. It wasn’t enough and I saw why he won this title 12 times. I beat one legend but lost to the second one. I’m absolutely gutted, but I will come back and try again. I played against a guy who won his tournament 12 times, so I was not the reason that I have lost,” Dominic Thiem continued. Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal [http://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2019-06-09-at-7.18.56-PM.png]Rafael Nadal Rafael Nadal felicitated the Dominic Thiem for the incredible two weeks which he spent in Paris. Rafa believes that one day the Austrian would rise high to hold La Coupe des Mousquetaires. “Dominic, Sorry. You are one of the best examples on the tour. Very hardworking, always with a smile on your face, a good person. Thanks for being a great inspiration for me and for the kids around the world”, Rafa said. 

It’s an unfulfilled dream for Dominic Thiem as for the second consecutive year,
the Austrian falls to Rafael Nadal on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Mahalakshmi Murali joined EssentiallySports in 2018 as a tennis author and has gone on to pen more than 1800 engaging articles, probing into various aspects of the sport and its illustrious players. With her expertise on the sport, Mahalakshmi has interviewed stalwarts from the sport such as Serena WIlliams? coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Kevin Anderson?s physio, Carlos Costa. Equipped with her vast experience and a keen understanding of the sport, Mahalakshmi now co-heads the tennis department. Unsurprisingly, she enjoys watching the ever elegant and graceful Roger Federer more than anybody.

Mahalakshmi Murali

Mahalakshmi Murali, Author at EssentiallySports

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Mahalakshmi Murali joined EssentiallySports in 2018 as a tennis author and has
gone on to pen more than 1800 engaging articles, probing into various aspects of
the sport and its illustrious players. With her expertise on the sport,
Mahalakshmi has interviewed stalwarts from the sport such as Serena WIlliams’
coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Kevin Anderson’s physio, Carlos Costa. Equipped
with her vast experience and a keen understanding of the sport, Mahalakshmi now
co-heads the tennis department. Unsurprisingly, she enjoys watching the ever
elegant and graceful Roger Federer more than anybody.

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Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic Net Worth, Salary, and Endorsements 2023 Novak Djokovic Wimbledon 2023 The Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic set out to play a final that the entirety of the world had dreamt of for the past few months. Since the rise of Carlos Alcaraz, everyone wanted to watch a showdown between the two. They eventually met in the final of Wimbledon, which seemed to be in Djokovic&#8217;s favor. After the Serbian won the first set 6-1, he would lose two sets continuously, which made the score 6-1, 6-7(6), 1-6. Tennis &#8211; 2023 Wimbledon Championships &#8211; Week Two &#8211; Day Eight &#8211; All England lawn Tennis &amp; Racquet Club, Wimbledon &#8211; Monday 10th Mens singles &#8211; Novak Djokovic SRB v Hubert Hurkacz POL Novak Djokovic celebrates after the match PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK He would go on to win the fourth set, but alas, he couldn&#8217;t overcome the ATP world number 1. Alcaraz won the fifth set and showed why he topped the Pepperstone ATP rankings. After the gruesome match, Djokovic&#8217;s speech contained much praise for his opponent of the day. However, as he looked up at his son smiling in the stands, he could not compose himself anymore.? Djokovic cried and, as he gained composure, said, &#8220;I love you. Thank you for supporting me. I&#8217;ll give you a big hug &amp; we can all love each other. Thank you.&#8221; Novak Djokovic French Open Feat 2023 After a fantastic start to 2023, Djokovic seemed to falter. Not winning any back-to-back tournaments would not raise an eyebrow for any other player. But for Djokovic, it can become a big deal. The former World No.1 did not win any tournaments following the Australian Open. His best record was making it to the semifinal in the Dubai Tennis Championships. French Open Final &#8211; Novak Djokovic Wins Novak Djokovic with the trophy La Coupe des Mousquetaires during the French Open final, Grand Slam tennis tournament on June 11, 2023 at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France. Photo by Victor Joly/ABACAPRESS.COM Paris France PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxSPAxUKxUSAxBELxPOL Copyright: xJolyxVictor/ABACAx 856740_032 JolyxVictor/ABACAx 856740_032 However, in the Monte-Carlo Master&#8217;s he crashed out in the round of 16 and in the Srpska Open, he was ousted in the quarterfinals. In the Italian Open, he reached the quarterfinal but lost to Holger Rune. With the Djoker enduring a slump in form, many didn&#8217;t consider him to be a favorite for the French Open title. To worsen his odds, Nole was suffering from an injury prior to the clay season. But he would prove all of his doubters wrong as he went past each player with ease, only dropping two sets on his way to the final. In the final, he went on to win against Casper Ruud in straight sets. After lifting the trophy, he went one step above Nadal in the all-time grand slam race. Novak Djokovic Australian Open 2023- A victorious hardcourt season The Djoker began this year with an impressive win in the Adelaide International. He won the tournament while dropping just one set throughout the entire tournament. After that, it was time to reclaim his throne on the hard courts of Melbourne after an absence of one year. In 2022, Djokovic was deported from Australia as he failed to comply with vaccination rules.? This year, the event became a topic of discussion as the country had relaxed its vaccine rules which allowed Djokovic to play in the tournament. Unfortunately, he could not maintain a controversy-free stint. Tennis &#8211; Australian Open &#8211; Men&#8217;s Singles Final &#8211; Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia &#8211; January 29, 2023 Serbia&#8217;s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning his final match against Greece&#8217;s Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Loren Elliott In his match against the local favorite Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinal, the Serbian took a medical break which sparked debates in the tennis world. Many questioned the nature of the injury, and it led to a topic of intense discussion among fans and pundits. Regardless of the issues, Djokovic won the Australian Open with great panache. The Djoker won his 10th Australian Open title this year to equal Rafa&#8217;s record of 22 grand slams.? Read more -??He Faked the Injury? ? Italian Tennis Legend, Who Recently Lauded Roger Federer, Reprimands Novak Djokovic?s Actions at Australian Open 2023 One would assume that the hardcourt season would follow with equal glory. Unfortunately, he was not allowed to play in the Sunshine Doubles. The Miami Open and the Indian Wells Masters were devoid of his presence. He did not enter the US as the vaccination rules did not allow him to travel to the country.? Novak Djokovic&#8217;s Net Worth in 2023 According to?Celebrity Net Worth, Novak Djokovic&#8217;s has a total net worth $240 million in 2023. He became the first tennis player to win $100 million in prize money. He has earned over $171 million so far in prize money as part of his tennis endeavors. Djokovic is the all-time leader in prize money earnings in tennis. Just in 2023, the Serbian has won over $6.5 million in prize money from various tournaments.? Read more -??I Warned Him? ? Novak Djokovic?s Coach Goran Ivani?evi? Blames Djokovic?s Body Language for His Loss to Rafael Nadal at the 2022 French Open As per Forbes, Djokovic received around $32 million in 2022 through sponsorships and various other endorsements. The Serbian ranks 23rd in the Forbes list of the world&#8217;s highest-paid athletes. Novak Djokovic early life Novak Djokovic began playing tennis when he was just four years old. Amidst difficult circumstances growing up, Djokovic still ended up as the best under-14 player from Europe and went on to shine the brightest on the ATP tour. The Serbian won his first Grand Slam title at the 2008 Australian Open as a 21-year-old. Coming to his personal life, Djokovic started dating Jelena Ristic in 2005, and the couple got engaged in 2013. A year later, they got married in &#8216;Sveti Stefan&#8217;, a hotel resort in Montenegro. The couple has two children &#8211; Stefan and Tara Djokovic. His parents are professional skiers, and his?brothers are professional tennis players. All of them are based in Serbia. Novak Djokovic&#8217;s tennis career (2001-2023) Djokovic started out on a successful path by becoming Europe&#8217;s top-ranked under-14 player and was also part of Serbia&#8217;s Junior Davis Cup event. His best record from the junior tour came at the Australian Open, where he reached the semifinals in 2004. Having been considered a player who made regular appearances in the semifinals at slams, Djokovic found his first major title at the 2008 Australian Open. 2011 was the year when the Serbian star truly started his dominance against two of his biggest rivals -?Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Both these opponents frequently met Djokovic and were defeated by the Serb on most occasions. The Serb&#8217;s dominance continued even in 2021, where he won three Grand Slam titles and came close to winning an unprecedented Calendar Slam at the US Open. Tennis &#8211; ATP Finals Turin &#8211; Pala Alpitour, Turin, Italy &#8211; November 20, 2022 Serbia&#8217;s Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the men&#8217;s singles final against Norway&#8217;s Casper Ruud REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane The 2022 season was a little rocky for Djokovic. He had to withdraw from the Australian Open. He found himself eliminated in the French Open in the quarterfinal. But he would maintain his Wimbledon streak as he won the title against Nick Kyrgios. Following the theme of the first slam, he had to withdraw from the US Open due to vaccination rules.? In 2023, Djokovic would shine even brighter than before. Starting the year with a 10th Australian Open title meant that he now equaled Rafa&#8217;s record. After the event, he would win the French Open for the third time and make it his 23rd grand slam, officially the most in men&#8217;s singles. Unfortunately, he would lose his winning streak in Wimbledon as he lost against Carlos Alcaraz in the final.? Rivalries Over the years, Djokovic had numerous rivalries on-court against top-tier players. But, his match-ups against Federer, Nadal, and Andy Murray always enthralled fans and turned out to be engaging to watch. Out of the three big opponents Djokovic has had over the years, it was his rivalry with Nadal that stands out. The duo played 59 matches against each other on the ATP tour, and Djokovic leads the tally by winning 30 contests. Tennis &#8211; French Open &#8211; Roland Garros, Paris, France &#8211; June 11, 2021. Serbia&#8217;s Novak Djokovic shakes hands with Spain&#8217;s Rafael Nadal after winning their semi final match. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Their most recent interaction came at the quarterfinals of the 2022 French Open. In an engaging three-set battle, the Spaniard breezed past the Serb and went on to clinch the Roland Garros title. Coming to Djokovic&#8217;s rivalry with Federer, it can be considered one of the most entertaining rivalries on the ATP tour. The duo had numerous close battles, but it is the Serb who takes the pivotal lead once again. Both Federer and Djokovic played 50 times on tour, with Djokovic winning 27 matches. Their most recent contest came in the semifinals of the 2020 Australian Open. Djokovic easily defeated Federer in straight sets. Against Murray, Djokovic had a rather comfortable rivalry as he was clearly the dominating player whenever they entered a tennis court. There were instances where Murray took control, but overall, it was the Serbian star who led the head-to-head with 25 victories compared to Murray&#8217;s 11. Read more -?Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal ? The Greatest Rivalry Explained in Numbers Now, Djokovic might be able to add Carlos Alcaraz to the list. The 16-year age gap makes no difference when the two players battle it out on the toughest stages. Alcaraz and Djokovic have faced each other three times. The Spanish rising star is in the lead; the only player in the rivalry to be above the Serbian. They first met in the 2022 Madrid Open, where Alcaraz won. Then in the current French Open, Djokovic got the better of the 2022 US Open champion. Their latest and third meet was in Wimbledon, where Alcaraz bested the legendary Serb in five sets. Legacy Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He has 94 ATP titles and also has the highest Grand Slam count (23) on the ATP tour. He is also the only player in history to win all the Grand Slams at least twice. Shortly after winning his 18th Grand Slam at the Australian Open 2021, Novak Djokovic crossed Roger Federer in the most weeks as the World No.1 record. The 2021 season has been fruitful as well as a successful one for the year-end world number one. Djokovic started the year with his 9th Australian Open title at the 18th Grand Slam of his career. Djokovic won his 19th Grand Slam at French Open 2021 when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. Hence he completed his double career Grand Slam. En route to the title, he beat Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. Tennis &#8211; French Open &#8211; Roland Garros, Paris, France &#8211; June 11, 2023 Serbia&#8217;s Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the final against Norway&#8217;s Casper Ruud REUTERS/Lisi Niesner Following his 19th slam at French Open 2021, Djokovic won the record-equaling 20th Grand Slam after beating Matteo Berrettini at Wimbledon Championships 2021 final. On the verge of achieving his Calendar Slam at the US Open 2021,?Daniil Medvedev?defeated him in straight sets in the finals in New York- which ended his 27-match winning streak at Grand Slams. In 2022, Djokovic did not have as fruitful of a year but he still won Wimbledon and crossed the record of Federer&#8217;s 20 grand slams. Following his win in the 2023 Australian Open, he equaled Rafael Nadal&#8217;s tally. To add to the glorious list, Nole claimed the most grand slam wins by any player in history at 23 titles, one above Rafa, when he lifted the Musketeers&#8217; Trophy this year.? Playing style and equipment Novak Djokovic is an offensive baseliner who is also known for his exceptional defensive skills. As years passed, Djokovic improved several aspects of his game, like his net skills, and also his serve became more accurate and to the point. These successful adjustments are what made him the leader of men&#8217;s tennis at the moment. Early in his career, Djokovic used a Wilson racquet but changed the company to Head after his 2008 Australian Open win. Since then, the Serbian star has stuck to &#8216;Head&#8217; and is now currently using?the Head Speed Pro 2022 model. Novak Djokovic career stats The Serbian tennis star has amassed numerous records in his career. He owns nearly all the all-time records and shares just one record with?Roger Federer. He has won 38 ATP Masters 1000 titles, the most of any ATP player. Djokovic clinched his record-extending 10th title at the 2023 Australian Open after missing it in 2022. His closest rival in this record is Roger Federer in the Open Era and Roy Emerson in the Amateur Era. Both have six Australian Open titles to their name. Off the court &#8211; Novak Djokovic Foundation and Charity Work Djokovic set up the?Novak Djokovic Foundation?to develop early childhood education projects in Serbia. It also gives grants for educational initiatives with the aim of helping children. It was founded in 2007 to invest in early childhood education with a focus on Serbia. Only one in two children have access to preschool education in the country. The belief was that early education could transform the lives of children as well as entire communities. The goal is to create best-in-class programs and learning environments in Serbia. The Foundation has built and/or repurposed at least 18 schools and helped over 10,000 children to date. Djokovic set it up because he wanted to do something for children. In August 2015, Djokovic was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. Novak Djokovic&#8217;s endorsements and sponsorships Djokovic has been sponsored by the apparel brand?Lacoste?since 2017. He struck a five-year deal with Lacoste paying a premium to former sponsor Uniqlo. He wears?ASICS?shoes. Other brands that work as sponsors for the Serbian superstar are tennis racquet giant?Head,?NetJets,?Seiko?Watch Corporation, and?Peugeot. ALSO READ &#8211; Novak Djokovic?s Diet ? What Does He Eat? Djokovic also endorses?Serbian telecommunications company Telekom Srbija?as well as?German nutritional supplement brand FitLine. Djokovic is also the ambassador of Ultimate Software. Business ventures and investments Since he started climbing the rankings in 2005, Djokovic started investing in several ventures around the world. First, he began a company called Family Sport which focused on hospitality when they launched Novak Caf? &amp; Restaurants. Eventually, the brand would go on to grow big enough that it would handle real estate, sports/entertainment event organization, and even sports apparel distribution. Watch this story -??I Really Love?? ? Naomi Osaka Points to the Ancient Technique She Relies on for Keeping Calm 2 Years After Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas Vouched for It After he won his fourth Master&#8217;s title in 2015, he opened a health food brand known as Djokolife. He also has an 80% stake in a brand known as QuantBioRes, which is working to make a medicine for those who have contracted COVID-19. Conclusion Nole has changed the tennis world through his constant efforts. His continuous victories throughout the years have helped him earn a mind-boggling amount which further enabled him to establish several ventures to increase his income even more. He is not set to retire from the ATP Tour anytime soon and will surely manage to earn more than several other players.  Also Read &#8211; Novak Djokovic?s Logo ? Meaning And Significance Personal Life Novak Djokovic was born on 22nd May 1987, in Belgrade. He began playing tennis at the age of four. Novak married his longtime girlfriend Jelena Ristic in 2014. He and his wife are blessed with a son Stefan and a daughter Tara. His parents are professional skiers and his brothers are professional tennis players. All of them are based in Serbia. How to Contact Novak Djokovic Official website &#8211; Novak Djokovic? Twitter &#8211; @DjokerNole Instagram &#8211; djokernole    Age  36   Height  6 ft 2 in   Coach  Goran Ivanisevic   Achievements  94 ATP titles   Net Worth  $240 million   Marital Status  Married   Spouse  Jelena Djokovic   Residence  Monte-Carlo, Monaco   Nationality  Serbian   Endorsements/Sponsors  Lacoste, Asics, Head, FitLine, Seiko, Peugeot, Ultimate Software Group, NetJets.

Novak Djokovic Archives

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Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal 2023: Net Worth, Salary and Endorsements Tennis &#8211; French Open &#8211; Roland Garros, Paris, France &#8211; October 11, 2020 Spain?s Rafael Nadal celebrates with the trophy after winning the French Open final against Serbia?s Novak Djokovic REUTERS/Christian Hartmann Rafael Nadal is undoubtedly one of the best tennis players of all time. The Spaniard, along with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, forms the famed triumvirate of the &#8216;Big Three&#8217; in tennis. Another accolade that Rafa has to his name is the title, &#8220;King of Clay&#8221;. Rafael Nadal&#8217;s family includes his parents Sebastian Nadal and Maria Parera, his sister Maria Isabel and his uncles?Toni Nadal and Miguel Angel Nadal Homar. Rafael Nadal&#8217;s net worth 2023 Rafael Nadal has done quite well for himself and amassed a net worth of $220 million, as per Celebrity Net Worth. He has also won a total of $134,640,719 in the span of his career. South Korea&#8217;s second-largest automobile manufacturer, Kia, has been sponsoring him as its global ambassador since 2006. Apart from Kia, American clothing and footwear company Nike also sponsors Nadal. Spanish biscuits and bakery manufacturer, Quely also made him its international ambassador in 2010. Read more -?3 Years After Snubbing Roger Federer, 32-Year-Old Sporting Legend Sings ?Tenacious? Rafael Nadal?s Praises ? ?Hard to Break..? Nadal sports a luxury watch from Richard Mille as part of an endorsement deal. Rafael Nadal&#8217;s watch is one of the most premium watches out there, with a hefty $725,000 value. His other endorsement partners are Santander, Emporio Armani, Babolat, Heliocare, Telefonica, Banco Sabadell, Tommy Hilfiger, Mapfre, and more. He has a sumptuous car collection and a luxurious home in Mallorca, Spain. Nadal also has expensive villas in Porto Cristo in Spain &amp; the Dominican Republic. He likes to spend his holidays in his villas and luxurious yachts. He has also opened the Rafael Nadal Academy in his hometown in Spain, Kuwait, and Mexico. His logo is one of the most renowned logos in the world, with the stylized version of a bull. Rafael Nadal?s early life and family Rafael Nadal Parera was born on June 3, 1986, to parents Ana Maria Parera Femenias and Sebasti?n Nadal Homar in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain. His father is a successful businessman who owns the restaurant Sa Punta, the glass and window company, Vidres Mallorca, and three insurance companies. Mar?a Parera was a trader who was in the business of selling perfumes. However, she left her job and became a homemaker soon after Nadal was born. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has a younger sister, Mar?a Isabel. Tennis &#8211; French Open &#8211; Roland Garros, Paris, France &#8211; May 29, 2022 Spain&#8217;s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his fourth round match against Canada&#8217;s Felix Auger-Aliassime REUTERS/Yves Herman When Nadal was three years old, his uncle and tennis coach, Toni Nadal, introduced him to the sport and worked with him from 2005 to 2017. Toni saw in his nephew a natural talent and believed that Rafa should put effort into the racket sport. At the age of 8, Nadal was playing both soccer and tennis. In the racket sport, he transitioned to a left-handed forehand when encouraged by his uncle, despite being right hand dominant. Toni Nadal also intensified his nephews training at this age. At 12, he was still playing tennis and soccer. In tennis, he won the European and Spanish championships. However, his schoolwork saw a significant drop due to both sports, so his father made him choose one sport. Rafa defiantly chose tennis and has pursued it ever since. Rafael Nadal&#8217;s wife and children Rafael Nadal married his long-time girlfriend, Maria Francisca &#8220;Xisca&#8221; Perello, on October 19, 2019. The two have been in a relationship since 2005 and Xisca is an insurance worker and is also the current director of the Rafael Nadal foundation. One can only rarely find Xisca in Rafael Nadal&#8217;s box during his matches. She is a private person and doesn&#8217;t like the world to get to know much about her. Xisca feels that her presence would disrupt the Spaniard&#8217;s focus. Rafael Nadal met his wife, Mery &#8220;Xisxa&#8221; Perell? in 2005. While there is no confirmed news, some reports suggest that they met through family friends. However, details about their life together are seldom found online as they prefer to keep a low profile.? PARIS, FRANCE October 11. Rafael Nadal of Spain receives a congratulatory kiss from his wife Xisca Perello after his victory against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the Men&#8217;s Singles Final on Court Philippe-Chatrier during the French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on October 11th 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) Nadal and Perell? announced they were going to have a child together in June 2022. When he eventually graced the world, the couple decided to name him Rafael Nadal Jr.? Rafael Nadal Academy Considered one of the leading sports centers in the world for tennis, the Rafa Nadal Academy was launched in the year 2016 in Manacor, Spain. The academy was built with an intention to provide high-class facilities to aspiring tennis enthusiasts who want to make it big on the big stage. The inaugural event for the academy was attended by Nadal&#8217;s good friend Roger Federer and other tennis stars. Three years after its initial setup, the academy got permission for expansion. Cities like Mexico and Greece now have the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre. Rafael Nadal&#8217;s records The tennis icon from Spain dismantled the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in several Grand Slam finals over the past couple of decades. By winning the 2020 French Open title, Nadal equaled Roger Federer&#8217;s record of the most Grand Slam titles at 20. Tennis &#8211; French Open &#8211; Roland Garros, Paris, France &#8211; June 5, 2022 Spain&#8217;s Rafael Nadal during the warm up before the men&#8217;s singles final against Norway&#8217;s Casper Ruud REUTERS/Yves Herman A year later, in 2021, Novak Djokovic also joined Federer and Nadal when he won his 20th major title at Wimbledon by defeating Matteo Berrettini in the final. The 2022 season saw Nadal emerging triumphant in the tally of major titles as he won the Australian Open and the French Open, bringing his total up to 22. Djokovic tied his record this year after winning the Australian Open. So far, the Spaniard has won 14 French Opens, two Australian Open, two Wimbledon Championships, and four US Open titles. Read more -??I Could Beat Rafa?- Majestic Wins Fuel Carlos Alcaraz to Issue a Strong Statement About His ?Idol? Ahead of the 2023 French Open The King of Clay has also clinched a gold medal at the Summer Olympics. In 2008, Nadal defeated Fernando Gonz?lez with a score of 6?3, 7?6(2), 6?3 in the final to win his only medal at the Olympics. Along with his impressive wins, Nadal has set many records which will likely be untouched for a few more decades. He is the only player to have won 112 matches in one Grand Slam. He has only lost to two players in the Roland Garros, Robin S?derling and Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard is the only player to have maintained a stance in the top 10 for 912 weeks. Rafael Nadal&#8217;s French Open dominance Having familiarized himself with red-dirt during his initial days, Nadal mastered the surface and even developed his game initially to suit the clay. The Spaniard likes to stay in the point by pushing the opponent from corner to corner and there is no better surface than clay to do that. Rafael Nadal of Spain hugs the Musketeers&#8217; Cup as he celebrates victory following the mens singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during day fifteen of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 10, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Coming to Nadal&#8217;s French Open record, he has amassed a total of 14 titles in Paris, the highest by any player on tour. The Spaniard&#8217;s first French Open crown came in 2005, where he surprised top-seed Federer in the semis. By winning the title, Nadal became the second male player after Mats Wilander to win the French Open in the first attempt. Rafael Nadal hair transplant Nadal is universally loved by fans for his intense competitiveness on-court and fighting till the very end without giving up. But, if there&#8217;s a thing that the Spaniard might have given up on, it&#8217;s his hair. Since his 20s, Nadal suffered from Male Pattern Baldness &#8211; a condition that is often seen in men. Nadal underwent a hair transplant procedure. It was Follicular Unit Extraction procedure and included a 4,500 graft hair transplant. While Nadal had thin hair post the procedure, the hair loss seemed to have reduced drastically, which meant that the transplant was a success. Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic: Head-t0-Head after 2021 One of the most intense rivalries on the ATP tour, Nadal and Djokovic, always ensure to put up their best foot forward while playing against each other, irrespective of the venue. The duo met a couple of times in 2021, with Nadal winning their match-up in Rome Finals while Djokovic winning the most important French Open semi-final contest and later went on to win the title. Tennis &#8211; French Open &#8211; Roland Garros, Paris, France &#8211; June 11, 2021 Serbia&#8217;s Novak Djokovic shakes hands with Spain&#8217;s Rafael Nadal after winning their semi final match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Nadal exacted revenge in the 2022 version, as he ousted his archrival in the quarterfinals of the French Open. It paved the way for the &#8216;King of Clay&#8217; to clinch his record 14th Roland Garros title. Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer: Head-to-Head After 2021 The most loved match-up for any tennis fans is the Federer-Nadal contest. While their encounters have been one-sided more often than not, the energy they bring to a tennis court is what pulled many fans to follow the sport. However, the two haven&#8217;t played each other too many times since 2017. Their last encounter came in the semi-finals at 2019 Wimbledon Championships, where Federer overpowered Nadal in a four-set contest. Federer ended his career in the most endearing way possible as he chose to team up with his long-time rival and close friend, Rafael Nadal. The duo faced the Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the Laver Cup. Although they lost the match, it became a moment entrenched in the hearts of tennis fans all around the world. Rafael Nadal stats Rafa has been a shining star ever since he turned professional. He played his first ATP match on April 29, 2002. At the age of 15 years and 330 days, Nadal became one of the youngest players to win their debut ATP match. He faced Ram?n Delgado and triumphed in straight sets of 6-4, 6-4. Ever since then, he has become one of the best in the sport. Tennis &#8211; French Open &#8211; Roland Garros, Paris, France &#8211; June 5, 2022 Spain&#8217;s Rafael Nadal bites the trophy to celebrate after winning the men&#8217;s singles final against Norway&#8217;s Casper Ruud REUTERS/Benoit Tessier TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY He would go on to not only face his major rival Roger Federer in their first match up, but also win against the Swiss Maestro. They met in the 2004 Miami Masters and set the tone for their rivalry, as he ended up with the upper hand in their head-to-head. Nadal has won 24 out of their 40 matches. He met his other major rival, Novak Djokovic, in 2006 at Roland Garros and won their first match as well. He has won 29 of their 59 matches. Read more -??It?s Humiliating to Get Injuries??? ? Former Serena Williams? Coach Joins Andy Roddick to Stand Firmly Behind 36-Year-Old Rafael Nadal Following a?Messy?Headline At the French Open 2022, Nadal clinched the 22nd Grand Slam singles title of his career. In November 2020, Nadal became the only player to stay in the top 10 of the ATP rankings for 790 consecutive weeks. He broke Jimmy Connors&#8217; record in the process. Rafael Nadal also won a record 14th French Open title in Paris in 2022. Nadal has claimed 36 Masters 1000 titles, with Novak Djokovic leading that record with 38 titles. The Spaniard has made an appearance in 30 Grand Slam finals, second only to Federer and Djokovic&#8217;s record of 31 finals. The 2008 Wimbledon final between?Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer?is widely regarded as one of the most iconic tennis matches in the history of the sport. Rafael Nadal injuries and retirement Although Rafa is a force to be reckoned with, his career has been riddled with injuries ever since he first turned pro. His first injury in 2003 made him miss his first Roland Garros, his only recorded French Open absence. Some of his most serious injuries came in 2012 and 2021, which forced him to miss several Masters and even Grand Slam events. Moreover, when Nadal lost for the first time in the French Open in 2009, ending a four-year streak, a knee injury played a crucial role in it. Tennis &#8211; French Open &#8211; Roland Garros, Paris, France &#8211; June 5, 2022 Spain&#8217;s Rafael Nadal during the men&#8217;s singles final against Norway&#8217;s Casper Ruud REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes In 2012, he suffered a tear in a tendon in his left knee, which forced him off the tour for seven months and also became a reason for him to miss the US Open and the Australian Open of the following year. In 2021, Nadal started the season with severe back pain and then experienced more injuries in the following months. He missed Wimbledon and the US Open and even many Master&#8217;s 1000 tournaments. However, he still managed to win the Italian Open. This year, Nadal, unfortunately, crashed out of the Australian Open in the second round. The bad news increased when Rafa was unable to return to the Tour. He missed the entire clay season, and is set to miss the rest of the 2023 season. Since he has undergone injuries almost every year in his active years, Nadal&#8217;s advancing age has turned made it difficult for him to recover from his latest injury. In a recent press conference, the Spaniard shocked the tennis realm by announcing that the 2024 season will probably be his last on the ATP Tour.? Rafael Nadal Foundation and charity? Considered one of the leading sports centers in the world for tennis, the Rafa Nadal Academy was?launched in the year 2016 in Manacor, Spain. The academy was built with the intention of providing high-class facilities to aspiring tennis players who want to make it on the big stage. The inaugural event for the academy was attended by Nadal&#8217;s good friend and former rival Roger Federer, and other tennis stars. Nadal&#8217;s academy even pays an ode to the Fedal rivalry. Three years after its initial setup, the academy got permission for expansion. Cities like Mexico and Greece now have the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre. Projects undertaken by the foundation include the Rafa Nadal Foundation Center in Spain. The Spaniard has even gone global with the Anantapur Education Center in India. He has also launched various scholarships to aid socially disadvantaged youth. How to contact Rafael Nadal? Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Website  Name Rafael Nadal  Born 3 June 1986?  Place of Birth Manacor, Mallorca, Spain  Nationality Spanish  Education Spain  Parents Ana Mar?a Parera Femen?as; Sebasti?n Nadal Homar  Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)  Weight 85 kg?  Wife Maria Francisca Perello?  Kids Rafael Nadal Jr.  Social Media Instagram; Twitter; Facebook; Website  &nbsp;