10.10.2024 14:41
The 38-year-old Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal announced that he is retiring from his professional tennis career. Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, remained the number one in men's tennis for 209 weeks throughout his career. Known as the king of clay courts, Nadal stepped into the professional tennis world in 2003 and quickly climbed to the top.
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38-year-old Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal announced his retirement. The 38-year-old Spanish tennis player, who has won 22 grand slams, announced that he is ending his career.
WHO IS RAFAEL NADAL?
Rafael Nadal first drew attention in the professional tennis world with his performance at the 2003 Monte Carlo Master Series tournament, where he played at the age of 17. By defeating Karol Kucera and Albert Costa, he took the first step towards future great successes. In his third tournament at the ATP level, he surprised everyone by defeating Carlos Moya. He reached the third round in his first grand slam at Wimbledon 2003.
From 2004 onwards, he rapidly rose in the rankings. In 2004, Nadal won the Sopot tournament, and a year later, he achieved a total of 11 titles, including the French Open and four Master Series tournaments (Rome, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Montreal). Nadal finished the year 2005 in second place behind Roger Federer. In 2006, he ended Federer's 56-match winning streak on hard courts by defeating him in the Dubai final. He won his second grand slam again at the French Open.
UNDEFEATED STREAK
While achieving his fifth consecutive victory against world number one Roger Federer, he extended his undefeated streak on clay courts to 60 matches. The previous record in this area was set by Argentine Guillermo Vilas in 1977 with 53 victories. Nadal's 81-match undefeated streak on clay courts was ended by Roger Federer in the Hamburg final in 2007.
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