Since 2005, Rafael Nadal has stood as the one real rival to Roger Federer, who most consider the greatest tennis player of all time. Nadal still has a winning record against Federer, whom he defeated on his way to each of his first 6 Grand Slam titles, most notably at Roland Garros, where he dismissed Roger in one semifinal (2005) and three finals (2006-8). Whether Rafa will eventually accumulate a record to rival Roger's 16 Grand Slam titles will depend in large part on how well his knees withstand the combination of his incredibly aggressive running and the weight of all the upper-body muscle those knees have to carry. Other factors that may stand in the way of Rafa winning enough majors to catch Roger are Roger himself, who probably has a few years of prime playing left, and the emergence of talents like Novak Djokovic.
Basic Facts
Date of Birth: 6/3/86
Nation: Spain
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 188
Turned Pro: 2001
Best Singles Grand Slams: Won Roland Garros in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011; Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010; the Australian Open in 2009; and the US Open in 2010.
Plays: Left-handed, with two-handed backhand.
Basic Style: Power and heavy topspin baseliner.
Greatest Strengths: Heavy topspin on groundstrokes, especially forehand, with excellent power, consistency, and placement. Aggressive game backed up by exceptional defensive abilities that utilize great speed, athleticism, and determination. Mentally tough and confident.
Room for Improvement: Second serve can be attackable, but decreasingly so.
