Retired tennis great Rafael Nadal has proved his equally at home with a golf club in his hands as he was a tennis racquet.
The Spanish superstar called time on his illustrious career in October 2024 having won 22 Grand Slam titles.
Now that he has more time on his hands to work on his golf handicap, he’s proven to be a natural – and recorded a hole-in-one on Thursday.
Nadal took to Instagram to post three pictures to his over 21.5 million followers after having achieved the ‘perfect fluke’ at Club de Golf Alcanada on the Balearic Islands.
Nadal captioned the post: “A Hole-in-One ⛳️ doesn’t happen every day! ☺️🏌🏼♂️”
Rafael Nadal: Career overview
- Full Name: Rafael Nadal Parera
- Born: June 3, 1986 (Manacor, Mallorca, Spain)
- Turned Pro: 2001
- Retired: October 2024 (final professional match at the Davis Cup in Malaga)
- Playing Style: Left-handed, two-handed backhand, known for extreme topspin, athleticism, and relentless defense
- Nicknames: “Rafa”, “King of Clay”
Major career achievements
Grand Slam titles (22)
| Tournament | Titles | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| French Open | 14 | 2005–2008, 2010–2014, 2017–2020, 2022 |
| US Open | 4 | 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019 |
| Wimbledon | 2 | 2008, 2010 |
| Australian Open | 2 | 2009, 2022 |
Olympic gold medals
- Singles: Beijing 2008
- Doubles: Rio 2016 (with Marc López)
ATP Tour titles
- Total Singles Titles: 92
- Total Doubles Titles: 11
- Masters 1000 Titles: 36 (second all-time)
- Year-End No. 1 rankings: 5 times (2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)
Defining features of his career
- Clay court dominance:
- Record 14 Roland Garros titles
- 63 of his 92 ATP titles came on clay
- 81-match win streak on clay (2005–2007), longest on a single surface in ATP history
- Physical and mental strength:
- Known for incredible endurance and mental fortitude
- Famous for epic battles with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic
‘Big Three’ rivalry
Nadal formed part of the “Big Three” era with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, dominating men’s tennis from the early 2000s to the 2020s.
| Rival | Match record vs Nadal |
|---|---|
| Djokovic | 31-29 (Djokovic leads) |
| Federer | 24-16 (Nadal leads) |
Off-court contributions
- Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca trains top young talent globally
- Active in charity work through the Rafa Nadal Foundation
Retirement
- Nadal announced his official retirement in 2024, citing ongoing injuries and physical strain
- His final match was at the 2024 Davis Cup, representing Spain one last time
- Emotional farewell at Roland Garros 2025, where he received a tribute on the court he made his own
Legacy
- Universally considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time
- Revered not just for titles, but for his spirit, sportsmanship, and dominance on clay
- Continues to influence the sport through his academy, mentorship, and presence in tennis culture
If you could choose would you want to be a champion golfer or tennis player?
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