King of Clay-Nadal turns 34 today

June 3, 2020June 3, 2020 Shirish

As I woke up in the morning ,cyclone threat loomed over Mumbai.But for me,more important is Birthday of my favourite sportsperson-Tennis star Rafael Nadal.Had it not been Covid-19,Nadal would have been playing another quarterfinal today at French Open and his aim-to claim astonishing 13th Roland Garros crown.Born on 3rd June 1986 in Mallorca,Nadal started playing tennis at age four.The left handed tennis star enthralled the fans all over the world with his game filled with skills,power and aggression.I have been following Rafa since 2005 when he won his first major title in Paris.Nadal with long hair early in his career,came on to the scene when Roger Federer was on top of the game.Swiss maestro was almost unbeatable in Grand Slams except French Open played on red clay.Nadal dethroned Federer in all battles between the two at French Open.Rafa didn’t stop there.He even beat Federer once in Wimbledon final of 2008 regarded as the greatest final ever.At Australian Open 2009,Nadal also beat his great rival in the summit clash.Federer was crying after the final calling Nadal’You got to be killing me.’ Such was the fighting spirit of Nadal that even Cool Federer looked frustrated.Nadal so far now have won 19 majors and is just one short of Federer’s tally of 20.

As Nadal celebrates his 34th birthday today,just look at his 34 stats.

1.Total weeks at World no.1-209
2.Losses at French Open with 93 wins
3.Grand Slam titles won without losing a set.(2008,2010,2017)all French Opens.
4.Age he began playing tennis
5.Times finished at year end no.1
6.Wins against Novak at Roland Garros
7.Clay court titles in 2005 the most in single season.
8.Consecutive titles won at Monte Carlo Masters(2005-2012)
9.No.of seasons Nadal led the season with % of return games won.
10.No.of wins before Nadal cracks 1000 victory mark.
11.Most titles in a single season in 2005
12.French Open titles
13.No.of Masters 1000 finals Nadal played Djokovic.
14.No.of year end finishes inside top 5.
15.Age when Nadal won his first ATP tour match.
16.Years when he won his first title in 2004.
17.6-0 sets won at Roland Garros
18.Age when he cracked top 10 of ATP rankings.
19.Majors won
20.Triumphs against World no.1
21.ATP 500 title wins
22.Age when Nadal became no.1 in 2008.
23.Age when Nadal won his 100th Grand Slam match at 2010 French Open.
24.Wins against Roger Federer
25.Clay court ATP Masters 1000 titles.
26.Wins against Top 10 opponents at Roland Garros
27.Grand Slam finals reached
28.28th tour title at Fever Tree Championships in 2008 the year he won his first Wimbledon title.
29.Age when he opened his academy.
30.Age when Nadal was flagbearer at 2016 Rio Olympics.
31.No.of matches win at Roland Garros before his first loss in 2009.
32.Career best match winning streak in 2008
33.Age when he finished as oldest year end no.1 in 2019.
34.%of return games won in his career.