Rafael Nadal: a career in five Laureus statuettes
As Rafael Nadal announces his retirement from competition, the world of sport is looking back in awe on one of the greatest careers in the history of tennis. By now you might even know some of the numbers off by heart: 22 Grand Slams; 14 French Open titles; two Olympic gold medals; 81 consecutive matches unbeaten on clay.
But numbers cannot contain everything that Nadal has given us in a 20-year elite career – the joy, the drama, the inspiration. And here at Laureus, he has a unique place among the champions we celebrate each year at the Laureus World Sports Awards. As well as his Career Golden Slam – wins in each of the four tennis majors, plus Olympic gold – Nadal completed a ‘Laureus Slam’ as the only athlete to win Breakthrough of the Year, Comeback of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and the Laureus Sport for Good Award
And so, this incredible sporting story – or, at least, the story so far – can be told through that lens.
But numbers cannot contain everything that Nadal has given us in a 20-year elite career – the joy, the drama, the inspiration. And here at Laureus, he has a unique place among the champions we celebrate each year at the Laureus World Sports Awards. As well as his Career Golden Slam – wins in each of the four tennis majors, plus Olympic gold – Nadal completed a ‘Laureus Slam’ as the only athlete to win Breakthrough of the Year, Comeback of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and the Laureus Sport for Good Award
And so, this incredible sporting story – or, at least, the story so far – can be told through that lens.
This is Rafael Nadal: a career in five Laureus statuettes.
2006: From Paris to Barcelona
Nadal turned 19 during the 2005 French Open – to be precise, on the day he defeated World No.1 Roger Federer in the semi-finals. Two days later, almost 60% of the Spanish television audience tuned in to see him defeat Mariano Puerta in the final – and he was unforgettable. As well as the booming lefty forehand, he cut a swashbuckling figure in knee-length shorts, a sleeveless lime t-shirt and a white headband which just about contained his flowing locks.
By the time he arrived in Barcelona for the 2006 Laureus World Sports Awards, he cut a more dashing figure in a tuxedo as he collected the World Breakthrough of the Year Award. “I would never have imagined that 2005 would have turned out the way it did,” he said from the stage. “I am very happy to be here with you all – such important people, people I have grown up with, and seen on television. It’s an honour to be with you.”
Nadal turned 19 during the 2005 French Open – to be precise, on the day he defeated World No.1 Roger Federer in the semi-finals. Two days later, almost 60% of the Spanish television audience tuned in to see him defeat Mariano Puerta in the final – and he was unforgettable. As well as the booming lefty forehand, he cut a swashbuckling figure in knee-length shorts, a sleeveless lime t-shirt and a white headband which just about contained his flowing locks.
By the time he arrived in Barcelona for the 2006 Laureus World Sports Awards, he cut a more dashing figure in a tuxedo as he collected the World Breakthrough of the Year Award. “I would never have imagined that 2005 would have turned out the way it did,” he said from the stage. “I am very happy to be here with you all – such important people, people I have grown up with, and seen on television. It’s an honour to be with you.”
2011: On Top of the World (in Abu Dhabi)
In the summer of 2010, Nadal ascended to the top of the tennis world. At the Australian Open, he withdrew due to injury during his quarter-final against Andy Murray. After recuperating, he put together a perfect clay court season, winning Masters events in Rome, Monte Carlo and Madrid, before claiming his fifth French Open in six years – and, in the process, Federer’s No.1 spot in the rankings.
At Wimbledon, Nadal overcame home favourite Murray in the semi-finals before defeating Tomáš Berdych to claim his second title at the All England Club. And in New York, he reached the final without dropping a set. In that final, Novak Djokovic could only take one from him; Nadal won 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6,2 to complete a Career Grand Slam. He became the first man to win Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and hard courts in a single season and, of course, finished the year as world No.1.
In the summer of 2010, Nadal ascended to the top of the tennis world. At the Australian Open, he withdrew due to injury during his quarter-final against Andy Murray. After recuperating, he put together a perfect clay court season, winning Masters events in Rome, Monte Carlo and Madrid, before claiming his fifth French Open in six years – and, in the process, Federer’s No.1 spot in the rankings.
At Wimbledon, Nadal overcame home favourite Murray in the semi-finals before defeating Tomáš Berdych to claim his second title at the All England Club. And in New York, he reached the final without dropping a set. In that final, Novak Djokovic could only take one from him; Nadal won 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6,2 to complete a Career Grand Slam. He became the first man to win Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and hard courts in a single season and, of course, finished the year as world No.1.
Taking to the stage to collect the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in Abu Dhabi the following year, Nadal again thanked the Academy for giving him “the most prestigious award in the world of sport” before saluting his fellow winners, especially the Laureus World Team of the Year, the Spain Men’s Football Team who won the 2010 World Cup. “What they did by winning the World Cup was really a dream for my country,” said Nadal, who had celebrated with them, wrapped in a Spanish flag, inside the winning dressing room in Soccer City, South Africa..
2014 The Comeback Kid
In the summer of 2012, Nadal withdrew from the London Olympics due to tendinitis in his left knee. The same issue forced him out of tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati, and eventually the remainder of the 2012 season, eventually dropping him out of the top four in the rankings.
The following year began with another major missed: he withdrew from the Australian Open with a stomach illness. After seven months out, Nadal then began a comeback surge that produced seven titles in eight tournaments, culminating in yet another French Open. He defeated David Ferrer in the final, but his semi-final against Djokovic was the match of the tournament – a five-set thriller in which Nadal had trailed by a break in the decider. Nadal had by now established himself as the supreme competitor: an opponent who was never out of the point, and who was prepared to fight through adversity and injury in order to prevail.
In the summer of 2012, Nadal withdrew from the London Olympics due to tendinitis in his left knee. The same issue forced him out of tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati, and eventually the remainder of the 2012 season, eventually dropping him out of the top four in the rankings.
The following year began with another major missed: he withdrew from the Australian Open with a stomach illness. After seven months out, Nadal then began a comeback surge that produced seven titles in eight tournaments, culminating in yet another French Open. He defeated David Ferrer in the final, but his semi-final against Djokovic was the match of the tournament – a five-set thriller in which Nadal had trailed by a break in the decider. Nadal had by now established himself as the supreme competitor: an opponent who was never out of the point, and who was prepared to fight through adversity and injury in order to prevail.
Nadal and Djokovic met again in New York, with Nadal again coming out on top. Having begun the year with injury and illness, he ended it with another two major titles and back on top of the world rankings. That feat was celebrated with the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award. His return to active duty meant he couldn’t be in Kuala Lumpur to accept his third Laureus, but in a video message he said: “Because of my injury, I never thought I would have the chance to come back as I did, so this Laureus means more than the others.”
2021: The King of France
As the Covid pandemic struck, 2020 provided a unique set of challenges for Nadal and his rivals at the top of his sport. Wimbledon and the Olympic Games were both cancelled, and the French Open was rescheduled for the end of September.
As a result, Nadal made the decision to withdraw from the US Open and focus on the clay court season. The gambit was a success. Nadal won his 20th Grand Slam title, equalling the record held by Roger Federer, whose retirement from the sport was edging ever closer.
Of course, Nadal reached this milestone in Paris, with a dominant straight-sets victory over Djokovic in which he dropped just seven games. This was his 13th title and his 100th match win at Roland Garros, against just two defeats across 16 years of competition. A staggering record and a level of dominance at a single major that will stand as one of the great achievements in sport – and more than merited a second Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award.
Along with most other events, the Laureus World Sports Awards had to adapt to fit the times. In 2021, we celebrated and honoured our winners remotely, with a virtual ceremony hosted by the city of Seville. Nevertheless, Nadal looked every inch the winner in his dinner jacket as he recorded an acceptance speech. “It means a lot to me to equal my great rival but at the same time my great friend [Federer],” he said.
He also added: “I also want to thank Laureus Sport for Good because we are recently working together to transform lives through sport and education and to create opportunities for these children.”
This hinted at the beginning of a new chapter in the story of Rafael Nadal and Laureus.
As the Covid pandemic struck, 2020 provided a unique set of challenges for Nadal and his rivals at the top of his sport. Wimbledon and the Olympic Games were both cancelled, and the French Open was rescheduled for the end of September.
As a result, Nadal made the decision to withdraw from the US Open and focus on the clay court season. The gambit was a success. Nadal won his 20th Grand Slam title, equalling the record held by Roger Federer, whose retirement from the sport was edging ever closer.
Of course, Nadal reached this milestone in Paris, with a dominant straight-sets victory over Djokovic in which he dropped just seven games. This was his 13th title and his 100th match win at Roland Garros, against just two defeats across 16 years of competition. A staggering record and a level of dominance at a single major that will stand as one of the great achievements in sport – and more than merited a second Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award.
Along with most other events, the Laureus World Sports Awards had to adapt to fit the times. In 2021, we celebrated and honoured our winners remotely, with a virtual ceremony hosted by the city of Seville. Nevertheless, Nadal looked every inch the winner in his dinner jacket as he recorded an acceptance speech. “It means a lot to me to equal my great rival but at the same time my great friend [Federer],” he said.
He also added: “I also want to thank Laureus Sport for Good because we are recently working together to transform lives through sport and education and to create opportunities for these children.”
This hinted at the beginning of a new chapter in the story of Rafael Nadal and Laureus.
.png?format=auto&width=320)
2024: A Foundation for the Future
The Laureus World Sports Awards were back to full force and back in Spain – with the world’s greatest athletes meeting in Madrid.
Nadal once again took to the Laureus stage, this time to receive the Laureus Sport for Good Award, in recognition of the work done by the Fundación Rafa Nadal in Spain and India. This was the project to which Nadal referred back at the 2021 Awards, driven by Nadal and his family and supported by Laureus Sport for Good.
Today, as Nadal begins a new chapter of his life away from the spotlight, this work will be an important part of his future. Over the course of a career that will be remembered as long as tennis is played, Nadal’s understanding of the impact he could have in the wider world grew each year. By the end of that career, and with Laureus by his side, he is ready to use his platform to lead change in vulnerable communities and to transform lives through the power of sport.
The Laureus World Sports Awards were back to full force and back in Spain – with the world’s greatest athletes meeting in Madrid.
Nadal once again took to the Laureus stage, this time to receive the Laureus Sport for Good Award, in recognition of the work done by the Fundación Rafa Nadal in Spain and India. This was the project to which Nadal referred back at the 2021 Awards, driven by Nadal and his family and supported by Laureus Sport for Good.
Today, as Nadal begins a new chapter of his life away from the spotlight, this work will be an important part of his future. Over the course of a career that will be remembered as long as tennis is played, Nadal’s understanding of the impact he could have in the wider world grew each year. By the end of that career, and with Laureus by his side, he is ready to use his platform to lead change in vulnerable communities and to transform lives through the power of sport.
A champion, forever.
