One of the greatest tennis players in the world, Rafael Nadal, officially announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday (October 10, 2024). With 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, the King of Clay leaves behind an unmatched legacy in tennis. Not just dominating on the global stage, the Spaniard has graced Indian courts multiple times throughout his career. Let’s take a look at the times when Rafael Nadal visited India.
Rafael Nadal’s Chennai Open appearances
Nadal’s journey with Indian tennis began at the Chennai Open, where he competed three times. These appearances gave Indian fans a first-hand glimpse of the young Rafa’s brilliance.
- 2004: Nadal made his Chennai Open debut as a young player still finding his footing on the international circuit. Though he faced a first-round exit, he left a mark on the Indian tennis scene with his raw talent.
- 2007: Nadal returned to the Chennai Open with more experience, reaching the semi-finals. In one of the exciting encounters, he faced India’s Karan Rastogi in the second round, securing an easy 6-4, 6-1 victory. Nadal’s performance electrified the Chennai crowd.
- 2008: In 2008, Nadal played the Chennai Open for the final time. He reached the tournament’s final but couldn’t clinch the title, losing to Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny 6–0, 6–1.
2016 Davis Cup in New Delhi
One of Nadal’s most memorable visits to India came in 2016 during the Davis Cup tie between India and Spain. The young boy who first played in the Chennai Open had grown into a legend by the time he played in the Davis Cup. Despite injury concerns, Nadal traveled to New Delhi to represent Spain. Although he didn’t play any singles matches, he stepped onto the court for the doubles rubber alongside his Olympic Gold Medal-winning partner, Marc Lopez.
In an intense battle, Nadal and Lopez took on India’s legendary Leander Paes and Saketh Myneni. After dropping the first set, the Spanish duo mounted a brilliant comeback, winning 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4. Nadal’s energy on the court engaged the Indian crowd, making the match one of the highlights of the Davis Cup tie. Nadal and Lopez’s victory helped Spain win the tie, while fans were treated to an unforgettable tennis spectacle.
Nadal in Tennis League for India
Rafael Nadal represented the Indian Aces during the 2015 season of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), a professional team tennis league featuring five teams from across Asia. In this league, Nadal teamed up with Indian players like Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza. He played for the Aces on the Delhi courts, helping the team reach the finals. However, the Indian Aces lost to the Singapore Slammers in the final, where Nadal did not participate.
Nadal’s Final Chapter
As Nadal prepares to hang up his boots after representing Spain in the Davis Cup Finals this November, the world bids farewell to one of the greatest sportsmen ever. His 23-year-long career has been defined by his unparalleled dominance, especially on clay courts, where his record at the French Open (112-4) is nothing short of remarkable.
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