Journey of Rafael Nadal: from wonder kid to the King of Clay

14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has seen it all in his amazing career. Monumental wins, Crashing defeats, Incredible rivalries etc.Any successful journey needs a start somewhere and it was no different for the Mallorcan. Coached at an early age by his uncle Toni Nadal, the Mallorcan has had an extraordinary career so far.Here's a look at Rafael Nadal's journey - from being a child protégé to the King of Clay.

#1 Early direction by Uncle Toni

A young Rafael Nadal wearing an FC Barcelona jersey with his uncle Miguel Angel Nadal

Most parents would look to put their kids into tennis academies at a very early age to ensure that their kid gets the facilities to learn the game in. But imagine a situation where you have a coach in your own family. Well, Rafael Nadal is one of the few lucky ones to have had his uncle Toni Nadal as his coach starting from his childhood days up until now.

Interestingly, though, as a young boy Rafa was inclined towards football and it was his uncle was the one who got him into tennis and that move changed his life completely.

#2 A born talent

It seemed evident that Rafa would grow up and become a pretty good player tennis player, from a very early age. A right handed Nadal was trained to play left handed by Uncle Toni. The trick reaped results as with Nadal hitting some unbelievable winners on both forehands and backhands.

He started with double-handed forehands and backhands but later shifted to a traditional single handed forehand.

#3 A future hero

Most kids in their teens would probably be asked to be more serious about academics and sports would only be a recreational activity. However, this video is a proof that Nadal's first priority was indeed tennis. Here he is taking on another future player, Richard Gasquet of France.

#4 Early Signs

Spain was up against USA in the Davis Cup Finals of 2004. An 18-year-old Rafael Nadal was up against the then World No. 2 and US Open champion Andy Roddick. Many expected it to be a no-contest, considering Roddick was in red-hot form at that point in his career.

But the 18-year-old Mallorcan, who was ranked 51st at the time, played some brilliant tennis to outclass Roddick and win the match in four sets 6-7 6-2 7-6 6-2. The win not boosted his own confidence, but also helped the Spaniards, eventually, clinch the Davis Cup Finals tie.

#5 The start of the Federer rivalry

Over the years, one has several epic contests between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Their first encounter after turning pro came a decade ago when they faced off in the 2004 Miami Masters. Federer was seeded No.1 and the Spaniard knew he had a job at hand to get past him and progress further.

Against all odds, Nadal was able to launch himself on the big stage with a stunning straight sets victory over the Swiss Maestro, kick-starting an epic rivalry between the two.

#6 First Gran Slam title

Rafael Nadal with his first French Open Title

Nadal had just turned 19 and entered his first ever French open final against Mariano Puerta. He was coming off a morale boosting semi-final win over Roger Federer and that confidence could be seen in his play during the final as he beat Puerta 6-7(6-8), 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 to win his first ever Grand Slam. With the win, Nadal became only the second player after Mats Wilander to win at Roland Garros in his maiden appearance.

#7 2008 Wimbledon: A titanic encounter

Rafel Nadal holding the Wimbledon Trophy aloft

The 2008 Wimbledon Final was a repeat of the 2007 final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Both players came into the match after some good wins in the earlier rounds. Although, Federer had beaten Nadal in the 2007 final, it was clear that the Mallorcan looked a much different player this time around. The duo played one of the most incredible finals ever at the SW19.

Nadal won the tie in 5 sets, beating Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7. It was Rafa's first ever Wimbledon title and it proved to the world that he could play on other surfaces as well.

#8 Olympic gold medal

Outside the tennis circuit, the Olympics is a special event for any tennis player. With a chance to win the title just once in four years, the players know the importance of the Games.

In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Nadal progressed to the final in his first Olympics appearance. He faced Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in the final and comfortably beat him 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in straight sets.

#9 The Career Slam

By winning the US Open in 2010, Nadal became only the second player to win all 4 majors

The only Grand Slam that had eluded Rafa Nadal until 2010 was the US Open.

By then, Nadal had won 5 French Open titles, 2 Wimbledons and 1 Australian Open title when he reached final at Flushing Meadows in 2010. Taking on Serbian Novak Djokovic in the final, Rafa produced some of his best tennis to win the final in four sets 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2. It was his ninth Grand Slam title and significantly, he became only the second man after Andre Agassi to win a Career Golden Slam.

#10 Ninth Roland Garros win

Rafael Nadal won his ninth French Open title earlier this year

Irrespective of how Rafa performs in the other majors of the year, the odds of him getting eliminated in the French open in the early rounds are next to nothing. It was pretty similar story earlier this year as well when The 28-year-old took on Novak Djokovic in the final. Nadal came out trumps yet again winning the match in 4 sets 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4. With the win, he also equalled Pete Sampras's tally of 14 Grand Slam titles.

What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here

Edited by Staff Editor