Tennis player Rafael Nadal is recognized as one of the greatest athletes in the history of sport and is regarded, along with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, as the greatest tennis player ever.

Novak Djokovic

Tennis

Rafael Nadal

Tennis World 

Rafael Nadal sends best wishes to...

Facing each other for the first time in Miami 2004, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal forged one of the most exciting rivalries in tennis, dominating the rest of the field in those years and battling for the Major and Masters 1000 trophies.

Roger Federer

'Roger Federer was always my hero and I kind of wanted...', says Top 10

Rafael Nadal's last official appearance dates back to last Roland Garros, when he was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. A few days later, the Spanish champion announced that he would not take part in either Wimbledon or the subsequent Tokyo Olympics. The former world number 1 used the need to protect his body as a reason for the forfeit, after turning 35 in June.

'With Rafael Nadal, there are always more medal options', says ATP ace

After two decades on the Tour, Rafael Nadal is still among the players to beat. The Spaniard has won 20 Major titles and 36 Masters 1000 trophies to earn the status of one of the greatest players of all time, always giving his best and overcoming numerous setbacks to keep himself in the elite top-10 group. Nadal's first ATP title came in Sopot in August 2004 at 18, with much higher goals for the following season.

Rafael Nadal was too modest in 2005, as he achieved so much more

World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev is hoping to play his best tennis at the Tokyo Olympics and potentially beat top-seeded Novak Djokovic.Medvedev, who is set to make his Olympic debut, ended runner-up to Djokovic in this year's Australian Open final. "No. I want to play my best tennis. If I manage to beat players like Novak, then that's great. Sometimes it's extremely difficult to beat him, not only for me but for others as well.

Medvedev: Beating Djokovic is tough even for Nadal and Federer

Marat Safin, Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt and Juan Carlos Ferrero were the most prominent youngsters at the Millennium turn, earning Major titles and conquering the ATP throne.

Lleyton Hewitt

When Rafael Nadal wanted to become world No. 1 at 17

The 17-year-old Rafael Nadal was one of the players to watch at the beginning of 2004, looking good to improve his results from the previous season and reaching the first ATP final in Auckland. The young Spaniard scored two Australian Open triumphs and made a notable Davis Cup debut against Radek Stepanek on an indoor court. Rafa beat world no.

Rafael Nadal on 2004 Davis Cup title: 'It's my most significant trophy'

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have dominated men's tennis since the early 2000s, as well as almost entirely rewriting the record book. The Big 3 have won 24 of the last 29 Grand Slam tournaments and currently share the all-time record of 20 Majors.

Rafael Nadal

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