Rafael Nadal Archives

Spain’s Rafael Nadal makes history by winning the Monte Carlo Masters title five times in a row on Sunday (April 19).

The 22-year-old defeated Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (blue shirt) 6-3 2-6 6-1 to retain his trophy. “Everyone can improve in every surface, no? No one is perfect. Sure, I can improve,” Rafael said. “I always work to improve because when you feel you can’t improve, it’s difficult to wake up and go on court and practice.”

“This tournament I didn’t serve very well. Especially the second serve was sometimes 120 kph (74 mph). So that’s [a] disaster,” Rafael said. “Yeah, I have to play more. Have to serve better.”

10+ pictures inside of Rafael Nadal as a Monte Carlo Master…

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• The musk of tennis champ Rafael Nadal awaits you.
• Marisa Miller goes makeup-free
• A sleuthing Audrina Patridge meets up with her old roomies.
• Danneel Harris models for Maxim.
• Odette Yustman is Arena sexy.
• Kate Beckinsale is Elton John beautiful.
• Sean Penn explains leaving wife out of Oscars speech.
• Kingston Rossdale has a big day at the park.
• Kim Kardashian gets some post-pop pampering.
• Kristen Stewart is unthrilled by Tokyo.
• JJJ if flying with the Jonas Brothers to a top secret location.
• Jennifer Hudson will perform her single “If This Isn’t Love” on The Oprah Winfrey Show on Friday.
• Broadway musical Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark will be directed by Tony-winning Julie Taymor and will open on Feb. 18, 2010 at Broadway’s Hilton Theatre.
• Tommy Hilfiger’s wife, Dee Ocleppo, is pregnant with the couple’s first child.
• Evan Rachel Wood is returning to her theatrical roots, starring as Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet at Theatre In The Park in Raleigh alongside her brother and father. Performances are scheduled to begin in May.
• Sharon Stone was spotted cuddling with Uma Thurman’s ex, Andre Balazs, at Guy Oseary’s L.A. home on Sunday night.

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays his match against Bjorn Phau of Germany during Day 1 of the 2008 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, New York on Monday.

The Wimbledon and French Open champ at one point needed to bandage a nasty blister, but eventually won 7-6 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (4).

“I think I need the (crowd) support a little bit this year,” the 22-year-old said. “(But) I still believe it’s an advantage if you know how to win a US Open. It’s a tough tournament to win.”

10+ more pics inside of Rafael Nadal taking on the U.S. Open…

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Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer face off at “Grapple in the Apple” presented by Nike at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Thursday in New York City.

Nadal and Federer both took questions at “Grapple in the Apple,” which was hosted by boxing promoter Don King. The two tennis rivals have met in the finals of the last two Grand Slam events.

“These years I have always had one person in front of me, better than me in everything,” said Nadal. “So when I look to Roger in front of me all the time, having better forehand, better backhand.”

“This is definitely one of the great, great rivalries I’ve been in,” said Federer. “And I mean he’s definitely been also the one who has been pushing me the hardest to improve as a player and stay ahead of him. But you know, he got me in the end, but obviously I’m going to try to get it back.”

20+ more pics inside of Rafael Nadal Grappling in the Apple…

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Spain’s Rafael Nadal takes the Fall Fashion 2008 cover of NY Magazine wearing next to nothing. Great fashion!

On Sunday, the 22-year-old tennis champ swept past Roger Federer to seize the world No. 1 tennis ranking. The Beijing gold medalist also became the only Spaniard to win a gold medal at the Olympics Games.

“For the sportsman, the Olympic Games are more important than anything,” he said. “Nowhere in my best dreams I can imagine something like what I did this year. I am playing an unbelievable season, no doubt. The feeling for sure is very happy for being No. 1, but the feeling doesn’t change too much because the last years I did very well, too.”

To see the shirtless slideshow of Nadal’s latest photoshoot, visit NYMag.com.

Rafael Nadal is spotted on the beach playing games during a vacation with his girlfriend Xisca and friends in Mallorca, Spain on Saturday.

Roger Federer and Rafael are expected to be in Toronto next week for the July 21-27 Rogers Cup and the following week at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati. Both are Masters Series events, and top players are required to enter.

“You write what you want,” Federer said after being asked about potentially losing his number one spot.

“I’m going to try and win the Olympics and the US Open and then we can talk again.”

More pics of Rafael Nadal being beach buff…

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Spanish tennis player and 2008 Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal relaxes by playing golf with a friend in his homeland, Mallorca, Spain, on Wednesday.

Sports Illustrated has estimated Nadal’s total 2007 earnings, including endorsements, at $35.1 million.

Rafael, 22, currently has agreements with apparel maker Nike Inc., car company Kia Motors Corp., Spanish bank Banco Espanol de Credito SA; closely-held Grupo Valentin’s watch-maker Time Force and L’Oreal SA hair products maker.

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael are the first players to qualify for the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai in November.

10+ more pics of Rafael Nadal putting in pink…

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Spanish tennis player and 2008 Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal takes a breather with his girlfriend, Maria Francisca Perello on the beach of Mallorca on Monday.

Raf, 22, now has five career Grand Slam titles, including his four consecutive French Open wins.

With his recent win at Wimbledon, and given Federer’s recent court struggles, many people feel that the reign of Roger Federer is over.

DO YOU THINK that Rafa is now the king of tennis — YAY or NAY?

10+ pictures of Rafael Nadal and his bikini babe… More Here! »