Tennis
The schedule for Rafael Nadal includes events in the ATP 250, ATP 500, ATP Masters 1000 & Grand Slams.
Rafael Nadal is a Spanish tennis player, born in Manacor on 3 June 1986. Nadal has proven his mastery across all court surfaces but, in particular, is renowned for his ability on clay, holding a record-breaking 81 consecutive clay-court wins. He is considered an all-time great of modern tennis; traits such as his fearsome, whipped forehand, his incredible athleticism, mental grit, and idiosyncratic on-court habits have all contributed to his iconic status.
Rafael Nadal began playing tennis at age 4 with his uncle Toni, and turned professional in 2001, having turned down chances to train at illustrious youth training centres. Toni Nadal was instrumental in teaching his naturally right-handed nephew to play left-handed. Nadal's first ATP-level match win came in 2002, in Mallorca, the island of his birth. Nadal was aged only 15, and thus became one of only a handful of players to have collected their first tour win before the age of 16. His first ATP singles title came in 2004.
During the 2005 season, Nadal's singles ranking rocketed from 51 to 2, helped in large part by his victory that year at Roland-Garros; it was the Spaniard's first time competing at the Parisian Grand Slam, but this did not stop him securing the clay court title. It would be the first of over 20 Grand Slam trophies for Nadal: between 2006 and 2014 Nadal won the Australian Open once, 8 consecutive Roland-Garros titles, 2 Wimbledon trophies, and 2 US Open crowns. In 2008 Nadal became world number 1 for the first time.
After struggling with injuries and illness in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, Nadal made something of a comeback in 2016; the Spaniard picked-up an Olympic doubles gold medal in Rio de Janeiro, and in 2017 he won a historic 10th Roland-Garros title, secured his 3rd US Open title, and returned to the pinnacle of the singles rankings. Nadal would triumph in Paris again in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and won his 4th title in New York in 2019 too. After struggling with his fitness again over the next couple of seasons, Nadal surprised many by winning his second Australian Open title in 2022. This victory was Nadal's 21st Grand Slam title, an all-time record in the men's game. He then extended his own record by picking up the 2022 Roland-Garros title - his 14th!
It is not an exaggeration to say that Rafael Nadal is a tennis icon. His matches against fellow greats Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are often spectacular affairs, and as well as his sizeable trophy cabinet he is also known for his superstitious behaviours whilst playing, such as aligning the labels on his water bottles, touching the same parts of his shirt and face before serves, and walking the same precise routes to and from his chair during changes of ends. He is also well-known for having sported some fetching three-quarter-length trousers and vests, particularly in the early parts of his career!
Nadal's game is very complete; he is a consistent shot-maker capable of generating incredible topspin, and he is also highly athletic, allowing him to reach would-be winners, and defend ably, if he is ever on the back foot. Nadal's perfectionism has seen him continue to make noticeable changes to his game throughout his career, including tactics which have sought to shorten points - perhaps a factor which has contributed to his incredible longevity.
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The first day at the event we got the free tram to the event. The queues at the disembarking tram stop were horrendous, organised chaos.. The second day, we walked down to the event from Flinders street station. It’s a lovely walk without the queues. I recommend people use this entrance, no stress and better than being packed on to a tram like sardines.
The venue was amazing once in though. We had ground passes for two consecutive days. The second day was much busier than the first, probably due to the first day being a bit rainy. Got to see loads of tennis and tennis players. Watched games mainly on the outside courts which were very easy to access. On the second day watched a match in the Kia Arena. I recommend getting at the court very early if you want to watch a specific match as queues were forming on the busy second day. We knew which matches we wanted to watch and where, as we had looked on the Australian open website before we went. We were glad we had done this as there didn’t seem to be boards in the venue displaying this information. Free WiFi was available in the venue, so we could check on the Australian open website as to Match time delays and updates
Excellent, efficiently rn event
Drop off point confusing. Ran out of sandwiches by 12:30pm. Chips only.
Great facility
Very bad crowd managing
Firstly when we arrived we had to wait for 1.5 hours before we were allowed into grounds/stadium for night game on Court Philippe Chatrier even though it tells you that you can arrive for 615pm and you can be admitted to walk around, eat and shop so why keep us outside Stadium??
After the afternoon games, the evening game spectators waiting outside Court Philippe Chatrier there were no officials directing crowds out and around stadium. We were outside in rain waiting to get into court for 2 hours and were pushed & shoved and bad mouthed by people coming out from afternoon games The French were shouting at us and I had a friend who suffered with Multiple Schlerosis and was pushed non stop It was her first visit and I was very embarrassed. I have gone to Roland Garros 14 years and always enjoy but not this year
Also not enough food as they had run out
No milk for tea, no sandwiches
Very badly managed for the crowds they were expecting.
Was very disappointed.
Not happy.
Irish Fan
A great event to attend for tennis fans. We went Friday night (Centrale) and Saturday day (Grandstand) sessions of the first weekend. There were so many matches to choose from and we didn't always stay at our assigned court. Court 12 is a very small seating area and it's right up close to the players. Court Pietrangeli is an amazing scene--marble seats that don't get hot, statues everywhere and it's sunken below grade--you will never see anything like it. I highly recommend this tournament. Downside was trying to get a taxi after the night session ended, but that seemed to be an issue everywhere in Rome. We used the app, which was overwhelmed as well as the phone line.
