Rafael Nadal is one of tennis’s greatest superstars on the planet. Since turning pro in 2001, Nadal has been a constant feature in major tournaments in the world and he is always a viable candidate to take home the major prizes, especially in the French Open where he has won the event a record 12 times. His success on clay has earned him the nickname “King of Clay.” Nadal, however, has stayed humble despite his success and he credits his family for keeping him grounded and humble despite his fame and wealth.
Family background
Nadal was born in Manacor, Balearic Islands, Spain to Sebastian Nadal and Ana Maria on 3rd June 1986. His father is an entrepreneur who owns several businesses in Spain including an insurance company. Nadal also has two uncles Toni Nadal, who introduced Nadal to the game of tennis and nurtured his tennis talent from an early age. His other uncle is Miguel Angel Nadal, a former soccer player who played for the Spanish national team as well as FC Barcelona. Coming from a sporting family, Nadal has always had a good support system to help him the rigorous journey of being the outstanding professional tennis player he is today.
Younger sister Maria Isabel (Maribel)
One of his closest family members is Maria Isabel Nadal (or Maribel), his younger sister. Maria is five years younger than Nadal. The two share a very close relationship. Maria is frequently seen in the stands supporting her brother. She has spoken about the close relationship she shares with her brother, even saying that they enjoy hanging out together and even going out.
“He’s always urged me to come along when he goes out with his friends. It’s natural to us, even if others might sometimes find it strange, and it’s part of the secret of our special bond.” Maria has praised Nadal for his role in her life and for being a good brother. “Most boys growing up see their younger sisters as irritations, especially when they are teenagers, but that has never been the way Rafael has treated me.”
Rafael has always been protective of Maria Isabel and apparently as soon as he knows that she has even a mild cold he gets extremely worried. This is part of Rafa’s great heart.
Once Maribel recalled “One time when he was away in Australia my doctor ordered me to have some tests done, nothing too serious, but in all the messages I exchanged with Rafael that was the one thing I didn’t mention. It would freak him out; it would risk throwing him completely off his game.”
US Open Final
It is clear that Nadal and his sister share a very good relationship. Nadal, an 18 time Grand Slam champion will be in action on Sunday in the final of the US Open against Russian Daniil Medvedev and he will hope for a victory in order to clinch his 19th Grand Slam title and inch closer to equaling his rival’s Rodger Federer’s 20 Grand Slam titles. He will surely be supported by his biggest fans, his family, especially his sister.
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Nadal at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2019
Ranked no.2, the Spaniard has a 46-6 win-loss record in 2019. Nadal is playing at the U.S. Open where he toppled John Millman 6-3 6-2 6-2, Thanasi Kokkinakis w/o, Hyeon Chung 6-3 6-4 6-2, Marin Cilic 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-2, Diego Sebastian Schwartzman 6-4 7-5 6-2 and Matteo Berrettini 7-66 6-4 6-1.
Rafael will take on Medvedev in the final. The head to head is 1-0 for Nadal. The last time that they squared off, Nadal won 6-3 6-0 in the final in Montreal on 11th August 2019.
The Spaniard clinched 3 titles in 2019 in Rome, at the French Open and in Montreal. Rafael was the finalist at the Australian Open.
The Spaniard won 83 titles in his career: 19 on hard courts, 59 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)