Rafa has 23
AP Photo/Laurent Baheux
Happy Birthday to Rafa!
While we hope Rafa’s having fun partying with family and friends on his beautiful island, we decided to take a look back at Rafa’s career so far and raise a glass to toast all that he’s achieved in just 22 years.
Thanks to Kalliopeia for fact-checking the results list. Thanks to kefuoe, tiemyshoe, skyejaden, and johanne for the help in gathering some random quotes. There are so many good ones, we know we missed many. What are your favorites?
1986
Rafael Nadal Parera was born June 3
1994
Won regional tennis championships for under-12s
1998
Choice made between football and tennis
2001
Played in 2 Futures events September
Ranked #811 December
2002
Won first ATP match April
Won 6 Futures events
Ranked #200 December
2003
Won 2 Challenger events
Made Wimbledon debut and reached the 3rd round June
Won Umag doubles title July
Made US Open debut and reached the 2nd round August
ATP Newcomer of the Year
Ranked #49 December
2004
Won Chennai doubles title January
Made Australian Open debut and reached the 3rd round January
Won first match against Roger Federer March
Won first ATP title in Sopot, Poland August
Played for Spain in Davis Cup Semi-finals September
“There were moments when our nerves showed but we always showed a winning attitude.”
Youngest player to win a singles rubber in a Davis Cup final for a winning nation
“The fans were incredible and I owe 50 per cent of my victory to them,”
Ranked #51 December
2005
Won Doha doubles title January
Won International Series event in Costa Do Sauipe, Brazil February
Won International Series Gold event in Acapulco, Mexico February
Reached the final of his first ATP Masters Series event in Miami March
Won first ATP Masters Series event in Monte Carlo April
Won Barcelona April
“If I want to be the number one I’m going to have to improve a lot of things, including my serve. Everyone is fighting for the same thing – and Federer is well ahead of everyone else right now.”
“I love the atmosphere at Wimbledon and the grass. I want to win Wimbledon, but it might be difficult with my style of tennis. I hope to improve my serve and volley.”
Won Rome May
Youngest player to break into the top 5 since Michael Chang May
First teenager to win 5 ATP titles in a season since Andre Agassi
“I notice no pressure in his mind, just a maturity that I have never seen in somebody so young.” – Carlos Costa
“Watching the way he handles everything to do with his tennis, you would never realise how introverted he can be off the court.” – Benito Perez-Barbadillo
“No, no, nothing has really changed in my life. Not even my cell (phone) number.”
Won first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros June
“I am very happy” – on beating Federer to get into the final
“It’s very difficult for me to master the tenses in English. The tenses are very difficult for me, especially the verbs.”
“I fight, I fight, I fight every, every game.” – on the Roland Garros final
“I can’t say my feelings because that’s unbelievable for me. It is a dream for me, (winning) here.”
“It’s one of the best moments of my career. It’s a dream and I remembered all the bad times I had when I was younger.”
“I didn’t think I was going to cry, but my whole family was very emotional. In the end, I started crying also.”
“All the work you’ve been doing during all those years, the sacrifices, when you reach your goal, it’s an extraordinary moment. For the first time I cried after winning a match.”
“I’m going to Wimbledon to enjoy myself and do my best, my intention is to go there and learn so that one day I’ll be able to do something big there.”
“I’m going to go home (Mallorca) and build a grass court for myself.”
Won Bastad July
Won Stuttgart July
Won Montreal August
“Now I know I can play on hardcourt. That gives me confidence going into the US Open.”
Won Beijing September
“Roger Federer is the best player in the world. He wins everything. He’s lost only three matches this year. It’s amazing. I can’t be number one this year but I’m still very young.”
Won Madrid October
“I think this year is almost impossible to repeat. I’m going to start next year in high spirits, but without pressure because this has been an incredible year, a year to remember, to keep at home like a picture you hang on the wall.”
ATP Most Improved Player
Ranked #2 December
2006
Won Dubai March
Won 2nd Monte Carlo title April
Won 2nd Barcelona title April
“Borg’s total motivates me. It thrills me to think it’s there, but we’ll have to see what happens.” – after beating Nieminen to reach the Barcelona semis
“You can’t compare me to Borg, he was the greatest tennis player of all time.”
“Winning four times here is unimaginable.”
Won 2nd Rome title May
“It’s not easy, the normal thing would be to not make it because as far as I know only Thomas Muster has won those three finals two years running.” – on his chances to win his 3rd clay court title in a row
“Well, Muster was Muster” – when asked how Muster managed it
“I don’t mind if it goes on for 20 hours, so long as I win.” – on if he expected a repeat of last year’s long final
Won 2nd Roland Garros title June
“Come on……I got one stuck, but I’m not going to stop eating bananas because of that. Of course, I eat bananas during the match once in a while – with a great degree of caution.”
“Today I played the best match, especially (since) Hewitt is someone …… I mean, you let him grab a finger and he takes the arm” – on beating Hewitt to progress to the 4th round at Roland Garros
“I think it will be a beautiful final.”
“It’s incredible. I think I prefer this year because it’s harder to defend a title.”
“I think this victory is more important for me because I was injured in the beginning of the season. I wasn’t sure I could come back to my best level, and I see I’m still No. 2.”
Reached first Wimbledon final July
“It was not my day. I won, but it was Andre’s day. He is a legend, unbelievable. He was crying on the way to the dressing room. I saw how much it meant.” – after his 3rd round victory over Agassi
“Is a dream being in this final. I am very emotional. I am very happy. I don’t have more words.” – immediately after walking off the court to a standing ovation having won his semi-final match
“When I was playing my best tennis, the match was close, very close. That’s nice for me. It’s important for me to believe I can beat Roger on this surface.”
Ranked #2 December
“My goal in life when I was a young boy was to be happy. My goal now? To be happy. Nothing has changed. I have got better at tennis, but that is all. Nothing in me has changed. People think they will meet me and I will be a different person, but I won’t. I am the same. I still want nothing more than to be happy.”
“A few years ago I asked him if he would like to have a career like mine. He looked at me with the sincerity that you usually find in small children and said, quite seriously, that he aspired to more. And, I knew that he would be a better player than me.” - Carlos Moya
2007
“I have pain here, in my famoos ass” – Australian Open press conference
Won Indian Wells March
Won 3rd Monte Carlo title April
Won 3rd Barcelona title April
Won 3rd Rome title May
Won 3rd Roland Garros title June
“First year was very emotional because it was the first. Second year was very emotional because I came back from injury. And this year, I am very happy because I play my best tennis here.”
“This was my best Roland Garros. I am playing my best tennis. I am a more complete player than I was last year. I come into the net more and have better chances than before.”
“I always thought winning Roland Garros three times in a row would be impossible.”
Reached 2nd Wimbledon final July
“I have to improve. I can’t stop. But sometimes when you are improving it is not always easy to win.”
“He’s having his holidays.” – when asked what Federer was doing while Rafa played 4 days in a row to complete one match
“I don’t think so but your question definitely is :-)” – when asked if he was awkward
“There are things in life, in the World we live in that are really bad and serious. To lose a match, even if it is the final of THE tennis tournament is something that only really affects me. And that’s OK. I can cope with it. I will try again next year and I will work hard to keep improving.” – From his 2007 Wimbledon blog
Won Stuttgart July
“We can’t talk about it. I can’t understand anything he says.” – talking about playing doubles with Hewitt in Montreal
Ranked #2 December
2008
“My body is perfect”” – Australian Open press conference
Won 4th Monte Carlo singles title & 1st doubles title April
Won 4th Barcelona title May
Won Hamburg May
Won 4th Roland Garros title June
Won Queens June
Won Wimbledon July
“Why would I be different just because I play good tennis? My family has educated me this way and I agree with this.” – when asked how he stays grounded and humble in his Wimbledon blog
“WIMBLEDON !!! (and then a gold medal…. :-)” – on whether he would prefer to win Wimbledon or a gold medal at the Olympics in his Wimbledon blog
“Today I have been listening to National Anthems (France, Italy, Germany) and also a song called Paloma from an Argentinean singer called Andres Calamaro.” – when asked what five songs he listens to most in his Wimbledon blog
“I practiced with John McEnroe the other day. I wish it was him tomorrow in the final and not Roger… :-)” – Wimbledon blog
“No I never smashed a racquet. If I hit a wrong shot it is my fault not the racquet’s.” – Wimbledon blog
“We cooked one of those dishes of pasta with shrimps and mushrooms and stayed calm.” – on what he did the night before the Wimbledon final
“I am going to win. I am going to get there. I am fine. Be calm.” – during the 5th set rain delay in the Wimbledon final.
Won Master Series Canada July
Reached #1 ranking August
Won Olympic Gold Medal August
“I managed to avoid disaster. But you seem to know more than me… :-)” – when asked if his reported mixing of reds and whites in the Olympics laundry room ended in a pink disaster
“Sure it’s a difficult surfrace, but not more difficult than grass, for example” – about the US Open hard courts
“I feel that a lot of people do recognize what I do. But what really motivates me is to win titles. I don’t really pay much attention to the negatives. I take more the positives.” – in his US Open blog when asked about doubters and critics
“Good question. But I prefer not to answer. I do have my favourites. He is Swedish with Moroccan origins… ” – when asked who his favorite umpire is (hint: just say Mo!)
“I think I am an OK dancer. Not great but can do something decent on a dance floor.”
“My English is almost perfect” – US Open press conference
ITF World Champion
Prince of Asturias Award
“It was an unbelievable moment for me. To know that someone in those conditions knew about sports or what I was doing … Very emotional.” – when asked how it felt when Ingrid Betancourt said how listening to his victories at Roland Garros had helped to sustain her during her captivity in the jungle
ATP Player of the Year
Ranked #1 December
“I am humble but the numbers are the numbers.”
“Do we really think about the money when we walk on court, and the answer is clear and simple without sounding arrogant. We really don’t think about it when we step on court. We want to win.”
2009
Won Doha doubles title January
“I was happy to finally play with Marc, as we often play golf or go fishing together but we had never played together in doubles. I had asked him a few years ago in Spain but he had refused.”
“How many double faults?” Four. “Four double faults in four hours. I think I served OK.” – post-match presser at the Australian Open
“I had the feeling that, after four hours, Roger has to be tired too and if he plays well he has to beat me because I am more tired than him, I think. The important things were that I would not let my concentration drop and my legs still had the answers.” – talking about the AO final.
“I have won three of the great titles, my second Roland Garros was so special because I won with an injury, Wimbledon is my dream because I wanted a grand slam on something other than clay and I had been to the finals twice, so that was the one. That gave me so much self-motivation.” – after winning the Australian Open
“Sorry but I don’t know what it is.” – when asked how many chin ups he can do
“Not everybody likes the sleepless” – in reference to his new shirts with sleeves
Won Indian Wells March
“If I eat two, three cookies, maybe it’s okay. Maybe not for the stomach, no, but for the head it’s better.”
“So I have to keep moving all the time and try to play inside the court. Because if you play the ball when the call is coming, I don’t have to wait to the ball. I have to go to the ball.”
“I go to the net sometimes, and, well, I never stop the legs.”
“I think I played really bad all the time. When I have 3-0 in the third I played worse. It was amazing disaster.” – on his loss to Del Potro in Miami
Nominated for Laureus World Sportsman of the Year April
Won 5th Monte Carlo title April
“Fifth title here in Monte-Carlo. I never expect something like this. But, yeah, I feeled very emotional today, no?”
“For Barcelona, Wednesday first round, not five.”
Won 5th Barcelona title April
Won 4th Rome title May
“I think here is faster, yeah. More crazy bounce. I like that, but you have to be playing really well.” – when asked about the playing conditions
(Imitating golf swing.) – when asked how he will spend the next few days after his win in Rome
“I know (I am going to lose) one day or the other. Since I know it will happen, I am not worried about it. That’s life, the sport and the difficulty of tennis.”
“If I play at my best level, I’m confident I’ll have a good result in Paris, and if that doesn’t happen, I have to take it in stride because I’ve having a really good year.”
“Don’t worry. He is Nadal.” – Francisco Roig
“Rafa is the same person he has always been. That is a greater achievement than being No. 1 in the world.” – Francisco Roig
“Why change if you have perfect?”
What next? June
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I am surprised NO DOOPTS didn’t make it in here.. but this one
“Not everybody likes the sleepless” – in reference to his new shirts with sleeves
IS ADORABLE!
Thanks guys — Happy Birthday RAFA!!
That banner just makes me giggle!
Then my job here is done.
*wells up*
sometimes I forget he is just 23. He’s accomplished so much, and stayed to true to himself. It’s fun reading through all this. It’s amazing.
I hope all of his wishes come true. He deserves it.
the banner is freaking adorable!! :)
Happy birthday Rafa belovedest! Enjoy your day and kick ass at Wimby.
That photo is tons adorable =D
The big 2-3! Hope Rafa’s partying it up right now and doing all of the things on miri’s poll (albeit not simultaneously … that could get awkward).
Also, this-
- is why I love ‘im, and why I can’t stay sad.
Thanks to Miri and all her Rafa loving “elves” for putting this together. To me, the most telling and amazing comment that sums up one of the things I admire most about this 23 year old super sports star:
“Rafa is the same person he has always been. That is a greater achievement than being No. 1 in the world.” – Francisco Roig
Amazing.
Oh, thanks miri! This is fab. It just shows what an amazing sportsman and person he really is.
“…and for the sportivity…no?” How I love that.
Take it easy with the tequila tonight, Rafa… Wouldn’t surprise me if WADA turn up the morning after! ;)
I loved that “sportivity” comment. I think that it should be a word. Nothing wrong with it!
I was so happy to find that version of the clip because I always wondered what he said in that rapid fire Spanish after the first “I am very happy” and I love that the person who posted it put a little translation bubble there.
Also totally cracks me up. Because, yes – tenses and the mass irregularities and rule exceptions are a bitch and one of the hardest things to learn in a language – but…is there a part of speech that has tenses except for verbs? Or is Spanish (or Mallorquí) a language that depends more on temporal adverbs or adjectives to convey tense than verbs?
Thanks for the great compilation. I love the title: Rafa ‘has’ 23! It’s just like how he says in his pressers ” I have only 22 yrs” :D (flove the spanglish!)
Keep up the good work…
Thank you so much for this! I hope Rafa has a great, relaxed birthday, away from the media circus for once. So many of my favourite quotes are here. I think he expresses himself so simply and honestly whether in Spanish or in English – he has a real gift for cutting through the waffle and getting down to the essentials.
This is another interview I love from 2005, after his loss at Wimbledon, especially what he says at the end :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=RIBWb70lC_w&feature=related
I love that he went on to improve all the things he wanted to on grass. I’m sure he is recharging the batteries right now for the grass season!
Thanks for that clip Eliza, he’s gorgeous. Watching this makes me realise how much he’s grown and matured over the last four years! He was so much of a boy there and now…he’s a man.
The little smile at the end is priceless!
Love that clip. His little ‘recharge the batteries’ gesture is adorable.
Aw! Thanks for posting that link.
dear miri
you guys are just amazing
this is fantastic
how did u find all that i have no idea
LOVE that presser. He’s so pretty! And those arms *oye* no words. It’s incredible that he’s already with the mindset of improving his game so he can be better on grass. Amazing that 3 years later he goes on to win Wimbledon. Rafa is the best. :)
Great compilation ppl! Its a beautiful journey thru the years…i wanted to post dis..its dat thing get in the newspapers next to the horoscopes..
If your birthday is today: You`re a wordsmith (this I found really funny!) You know how to enlighten others. People find you entertaining and witty, and invariably seek out ure company. You have a warm heart and high standards for yourselves and others. However you need the respect of your peers. In the year ahead, partnerships and close relationships are important.
I thought this was quite an accurate perception of our champ. Nyway Happy Birthday Rafa and may God bless u wid a happy n blissful life for years to cum!!
Lovely! Thank you! We all needed this!
happy birthday rafa
tahnks for allthat u have given to us
and ya great compilation
i dont know how u guys manage to find all that
his words are as amazing as him
vamos 2009 wimbly and us open champ!!
thanks guys so much for this. How did you manage to compile this? It was incredible.
Happy Birthday Rafa!!!
Wow this is such an amazing way to celebrate Rafa’s 23 years on the planet, and his 8 years as a pro. Thanks alot for putting this all together guys. I really felt so emotional looking back on what Rafa has achieved and how wise beyond his years he has been from early days. And adorably funny. Rafa has a certain naivete that is so endearing.
There’s so many quotes from Rafa that are gems. It’s hard to choose. I thought it was so telling to read this one from him in 2005 – “I love the atmosphere at Wimbledon and the grass. I want to win Wimbledon, but it might be difficult with my style of tennis. I hope to improve my serve and volley.” He really had his eyes on Wimby from the very beginning. What a dream indeed for him to have fulfilled that wish last year. Wish him all the best this year. I really believe he can do it again, but it will be tough competition out there.
It’s also really cute to see how cheeky Rafa has been at some of his press conferences. He’s so natural and has this effortless charm. And the most insightful quote you’ve put up here for me is what Benito said – “Watching the way he handles everything to do with his tennis, you would never realise how introverted he can be off the court.” Amazing.
Happy 23rd Birthday Rafa! xxxx
Thank you guys for this amazing facts of Rafa’s 23 years and what he has achieved already on this planet!
Wish you Happy Birthday Rafa. Enjoy!
May all you wish come true, today and for the rest of youre life.
Te Amo Rafa.
Anna
Wow this is all so lovely, thank you so much for helping to lift the spirits of us fans! Rafa is such an amazing (and gorgeous) champion! He has achieved so much at such a young age. I’m sure he will continue to bring joy into our lives for many, many years to come.
Happy Birthday, Rafa! VAMOS! :)
Awesome!! thanks for this… Its really amazing to see how he improved as a player and how he improved the number of titles every year… I hope he continues improving and continues getting more and more titles for the next couple of years…
he has cracked all his famous jokes at the Australian Open! :P
That was an excellent job of putting all that hard work into that post (it’s a hard job, but someone had to do it, right?) Thanks to all involved! Anyway, I’m sure RAFA had a wonderful, stress-free b-day w/his loved ones in Manacor, in private (hopefully no papparazzi for him there, but bad for all of us then). He certainly deserves the peace & quiet. VAMOS in Wimbledon :-)
Thank you guys, this is great. It’s really impressive when you look at it like this, all his great achievements in line. And how great to put Rafa’s quotes in between, it’s so typical this way: an great sportsman and a funny kid in one.
Happy Birthday Rafa and hope you will continue and make this list so much longer!
this is a wonderful compilation of facts and quotes. thanks.
Happy BD to our “boy” – young man really. Much love.
*pops out of birthday cake*
*puts on best Marilyn Monroe voice*
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday…Mr. Parera..
Happy Birthday to you.
I/m not touching that line w/a 10-foot pole (so to speak) but aren’t you the one w/the restraining order? (just kidding of course). Anyway, you may need to use Shakira’s voice or else that woman who sang in Phantom of the Opera who RAFA said he liked to watch/hear her performance in NY. I’m not sure if he even knows who Marilin Monroe is because of his age. Does anyone out there remember Charo, who was also Spanish and used to be on the old Johnny Carson (a/k/a Tonight Show — now the Jay Leno Show here in the US)? She was a hoot w/her coochi, coochi & moving her hips like Shakira, etc. (LOL)! That’s really telling my age now,isn’t it . . . (actually I was like 5 or 10 when my mom let me watch it(not) ha, ha :-) Actually, I would like to wish Rafito a very happy & special 23rd birthday from one of his fans in the US.
OMG, Charo! Coochi, coochi…
Yes, I so should have done her. Remember the way she rolled her “R”’s?
Happy Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrthday, Dear Rafa…
Happy Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrthday to you! Coochi, Coochi!!
*swivels hips ferociously*
Rafa was kind enough to lift the restraining order for today only. And only in Mallorca. ;)
That’s too funny about your restraining order & changing that song to roll your Rrrs like Charo & shake those hips like her saying “coochi, coochi!” That was so sweet of RAFA to do for his b-day. Actually, Charo has her own website now & lives in beautiful Hawaii & apparently still sings & plays guitar. That’s another place I would love to live in the good ol’ US besides Mallorca of course. Ole!!!!
Well done, Miri! It’s a great birthday present for Rafa and his fans.
Hope he’s enjoying some peace and quiet with his nearest and dearest.
Heee! I must have been really excited about that Wimbledon win. I just noticed I had it on the list twice.
AWH thanks everyone for putting this together today what a great way to celebrate his 23rd birthday, and special thanks Eliza for posting that clip he’s gorgeous here and the smile at the end is worth millions, how his so grown up now, I remember that match when he beat Agassi @ wimby and his quotes were really touching, dear gracious Rafa… I also love the “he is Nadal! and the quote by Francois roig about staying the same person etc there are so many special things to say about Rafa, I have really enjoyed reading all these tonight, thankyou, thankyou and THANKYOU!!!