Men's Tennis: 5 Lesser known records of Rafael Nadal

#3 Least number of majors taken to complete a career Grand Slam

Rafael Nadal completed the Career Slam at the U.S. Open of 2010 aged just 24

When Rafael Nadal won the French Open in 2005, he followed it up by retaining his trophy in Paris the following year. But his performance in the other Grand Slams in 2005 and 2006 was below-par. Critics were harsh in pointing out that he may well be a one-court specialist.

But Nadal being the fighter that he has always been proved them wrong just like he has probably proven every single critic of his on this planet wrong numerous times. Nadal made the finals of Wimbledon losing to Federer in 2007 but 2008 was an altogether different game.

Nadal won his first Grand Slam title outside Paris as he beat Federer in the greatest match ever played at the Wimbledon final of 2008. With his win, Nadal erased all misconceptions of him being uncomfortable on grass.

The following year he again beat his great rival Roger Federer in the final of the Australian Open and now Nadal was the Number 1 ranked player and only the US Open remained to be conquered.

He achieved a lifelong dream in 2010 in New York as he became the youngest ever athlete to complete the Career Slam at the age of just 24. Nadal completed his career Slam in just his 26th Grand Slam appearance while Andre Agassi and Roger Federer achieved it in 41 and 46 Slam appearances respectively.