.::RAFAEL NADAL::.

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· Name: Rafael Nadal-Parera
· Nickname: "Rafa", "Rafi"
· Country: Spain
· Born: June 3, 1986
· Birthplace: Manacor, Mallorca
· Residence: Manacor, Mallorca
· Parents: Sebastián and Ana María
· Siblings: A sister, Maria Isabel (age 14)
· Height: 6'1" (186 cm)
· Weight: 178 lbs (81 kg)
· Plays: Left-handed, but is right-handed; two-handed backhand
· Turned Pro: 2001
· Clothing: Nike
· Racquet: Babolat Aeropro Drive
· Mentor/Fave Player: Carlos Moya
· Coach: Toni Nadal (uncle)
· Management: Carlos Costa, IMG
· Began Playing Tennis: Age 4
· First Championship: Baleares (age 8)
· Personal Interests: Football (soccer), Play Station, golf, fishing and cinema
· Ambition: To be a Top 10 player (Ed note: Goal met on 4/25/05)

Born in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain on June 3, 1986, Rafael Nadal Parera began playing tennis at the age of five with his uncle Toni. Encouraged by the promise spry Rafael (or "Rafa," as his fans and countrymen call him) showed, Toni began training his nephew on the courts.

Before Rafael was even 10 years old, it was clear the boy had a future in tennis. His uncle became his coach and he began serious training, quickly capturing Spanish and European junior events. In 2002, at the age of 15, he won his first ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) match, becoming only the ninth player in the Open Era to win an ATP game before his 16th birthday. Playing mostly Futures events, the young Spaniard compiled a 37-3 record and won six titles in his homeland.

The next year, Nadal had his breakthrough season, as he had successful runs on both the ATP and Challenger circuits. The run included his first semifinal appearance in an ATP event, as well as his first Wimbledon appearance, where he made it to the 3rd round. To top off 2003, he won his first doubles ATP title in Umag, and took home the Newcomer of the Year Award.

While 2004 marked the year he won his first ATP title (at the Idea Prokom Open) and beat a top-ranked opponent (Roger Federer), it was his 2005 summer run that proved he was among the tennis tour's best. In winning nine singles titles, including an incredible victory at Roland Garros, Nadal rose to a no. 2 ranking in the world, behind only Federer. At only 19 years old, this clay-court specialist has bested himself year after year since joining the ATP tour, and he looks to conquer tennis time and again in Grand Slam events to come.