10 sensational Rafael Nadal records that may never be broken

Rafael Nadal 2020 French Open champion

As one of the greatest players in tennis history, and as the undisputed ‘King of Clay’, Rafael Nadal holds a host of staggering records that will be difficult to surpass.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who made his latest comeback from injury at this week’s Barcelona Open, has revealed the 2024 season will likely be the final year of his amazing career.

With Nadal potentially in his last months on tour, here are 10 incredible records held by the 37-year-old legend which may never be broken.

Consecutive weeks in the top 10

A record that showcases Nadal’s remarkable longevity and consistency is his achievement of spending 912 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the ATP Rankings.

The streak started when the Spaniard broke into the top 10 for the first time on April 25, 2005 — and it came to an end almost 18 years later when he dropped out in March 2023.

Following the end of the streak, Nadal commented on what is arguably one of his most impressive records.

“With all the injuries I’ve had over the last 18 years, not having left the top 10 on any occasion is practically a miracle,” he told Movistar last year.

Most titles at a Grand Slam event

Nadal has won a mind-boggling total of 14 French Open titles, which is the record for the most triumphs at the same Grand Slam tournament.

The 37-year-old holds a 112-3 record at Roland Garros and it seems almost impossible that another player will match his unparalleled level of dominance in Paris, or at any of the other three majors.

Winning a Grand Slam title in the most consecutive seasons

The former world No 1 is the only male player to have won at least one Grand Slam title in 10 consecutive seasons, achieving this every year from 2005 to 2014.

Nadal won 14 Grand Slams during this 10-year period and triumphed at least once at all four majors. During this stretch, he secured nine French Opens, two Wimbledon crowns, two US Opens and one Australian Open title.

Only player to win 10 or more titles at four different events

Nadal holds the incredible distinction of being the only player to win four different tournaments on 10 or more occasions.

The ‘King of Clay’ has reached doubles figures at the French Open (14), the Barcelona Open (12), the Monte Carlo Masters (11), and the Italian Open (10).

Longest single surface winning streak

The 22-time Grand Slam champion possesses the record for the longest winning streak on a single surface among male players.

Between the Monte Carlo Masters in April 2005 and the Hamburg Masters in May 2007, Nadal won an astonishing 81 straight matches on clay. The streak, which included 13 titles, ended with a defeat to Roger Federer in the Hamburg final.

Most clay-court titles

It is no surprise that the ‘King of Clay’ owns the record in men’s tennis for the most titles won at clay-court events with 63, putting him 14 clear of Guillermo Vilas at the top of the list.

Nadal, who holds a 63-8 record in clay-court finals, won the first of his 92 ATP singles titles on clay at the 2004 Prokom Open in Poland. He also won his most recent title on his favourite surface at the 2022 French Open.

Only player to win every ‘big title’ on clay in the same season

Nadal is the only player who has won all three of the clay-court Masters 1000 tournaments and the French Open in the same season.

In 2010 — one of the finest seasons of Nadal’s career — he triumphed at the Monte Carlo Masters, the Madrid Open, the Italian Open and the French Open to complete a clean sweep of the four biggest clay events on the calendar.

Youngest player to complete career Grand Slam and career Golden Slam

At 24 years, three months and 10 days, Nadal holds the record of being the youngest male player to complete both the career Grand Slam (winning all four Slams) and the career Golden Slam (winning all four Slams and an Olympics singles gold).

Nadal won his maiden major at the French Open in 2005, before winning his first Slam title outside of Roland Garros at the 2008 Wimbledon Championships.

The Mallorcan won the singles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, before securing his first hard-court Slam title at the 2009 Australian Open.

He completed the set of all four majors and the Olympic title by claiming his first US Open crown in 2010, making him only the second man after Andre Agassi to achieve this.

Only player to win 10 or more titles in a season as a teenager

Nadal is the only male player to have won 10 or more titles in a single season before the age of 20, accomplishing this feat in 2005.

The Spaniard, who turned 18 in June 2005, won his maiden major at the French Open, as well as four ATP Masters 1000 titles, during a sublime campaign.

Most Open Era Davis Cup titles

Nadal, who is undoubtedly the greatest Spanish tennis player of all time, has a sensational record when representing his country in the Davis Cup.

The Mallorcan has helped his nation win five of the six titles they have secured in their history, having featured in winning squads in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019.

This gives Nadal the joint-record for the most Davis Cup titles won by a player in the Open Era along with tennis icon John McEnroe, who helped the United States to five triumphs.