| Sometimes referred to as 'Rafa,' Rafael Nadal is a | | | | won by a teenager. |
| native of Spain who has made a large impact in the | | | | Even though Rafael Nadal is right-handed, he plays |
| world of tennis. Born June 3, 1986 in Manacor, Mallorca, | | | | left-handed and produces a backhand using both. As |
| Rafael Nadal is the son of Sebastian and Ana Maria | | | | with most top athletes in their sport, Rafael Nadal is |
| Nadal. His sister, Maria Isabel, is five years younger | | | | managed by IMG and is frequently found in Nike attire. |
| than Rafael and is his only sibling. Standing 6'1" and | | | | Fans who would like to request a signed photo or |
| weighing 178 lbs, Rafael Nadal became a professional | | | | simply send Rafael Nadal their best wishes are urged |
| tennis player in 2001 after having played since 4 years | | | | to do so in care of his professional affiliation. If you are |
| of age. Fans should not let this young age fool them | | | | requesting an autograph, be sure to include a SASE |
| as Rafael Nadal nabbed his first championship at only | | | | (self-addressed stamped envelope) along with your |
| 8 years of age. | | | | request. Popular items to have signed include blank |
| Under the guidance and teaching of Toni Nadal, his | | | | index cards and photographs. It is recommended that |
| uncle, Rafael Nadal began learning to play tennis very | | | | fans not send any item that they cannot afford to lose, |
| early in life as is evident from his early championship. | | | | such as prized possessions and/or limited edition |
| Toni, who remains Rafael's coach, is a very important | | | | collectibles. As with all mailed autograph requests, there |
| part of this youngster's success. In 2003, Rafael Nadal | | | | is no guarantee of a reply. For this reason, many fans |
| earned the ATP Newcomer of the Year award. In | | | | simply prefer to request a signed photo. Depending on |
| 2005, he won 11 titles and also captured recognition as | | | | the athlete's schedule, autographs may be authentic, |
| the 'Most Improved Player' for 2005 as named by the | | | | secretarial, pre-printed or even impossible to provide. |
| ATP. | | | | Patience is the key to requesting autographs by mail, |
| In June 2006, Rafael Nadal won his second Roland | | | | especially when you are talking about an athlete as |
| Garros crown and also scored his 100th claycourt | | | | popular as Rafael Nadal. Letters and requests should |
| career victory. That same month, Rafael Nadal turned | | | | be mailed to: |
| 20 and ended his teenage years with great success. It | | | | Rafael Nadal |
| was during these years that Rafael Nadal won 16 | | | | ATP Tennis |
| career titles, which tied the record for the most titles | | | | 201 ATP Blvd. |