Rafael Nadal-Parera (Spain)

Rafael Nadal-Parera Birthdate: 3-jun-86
Rafael Nadal-Parera Birthplace: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Rafael Nadal-Parera Residence: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Rafael Nadal-Parera Height: 6'1" (186 cm)
Rafael Nadal-Parera Weight: 178 lbs (81 kg)
Rafael Nadal-Parera Plays: Left-handed, but is right-handed;  two-handed backhand
Rafael Nadal-Parera Turned Pro: 2001

Rafael Nadal-Parera biography:

Currently in the news for his stunning triumph in the French Open , Rafael Nadal was born in Majorca, Spain on June 3, 1986, and has been playing tennis since the age of five with his Uncle Toni, who has since coached him into the world tennis arena.

In 2005, the 19-year-old rookie sensation with the massive arm strength has become the youngest player in tennis history to reach the Top Ten since Andrei Medvedev in 1993.

With 31-2 on clay this season - and 41-6 for the year - Nadal was already red hot to take the men's 2005 French Open title - and made headlines for his scheduled performance against veteran Roger Federer , following his earlier loss to the Swiss champ at the Nasdaq-100 Open.

In a stunning victory, Nadal finally triumphed over Federer in the French Open semi-final at Roland Garros, and ultimately went up against Argentine strong man, 26-year-old Mariano Puerta in the final.

The teenager battled for the men's final in a grueling 3 hour-plus match and won 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5. The first left-handed champion since Thomas Muster in 1995, Nadal is the tournament's fourth youngest champion.

In July 2005, Nadal went on to clinch his 32nd consecutive clay court win during the Mercedes Cup to break a record set by a handful of world champions including Bjorn Borg who only held 31 consecutive wins.

Rafael Nadal-Parera picture: