Non-tennis tributes to Rafael Nadal's career: Pau Gasol toasts his 'amigo,' while Rory McIlroy hails his 'hero'

Over the last few years several all-time greats have called time on their professional tennis careers, and we’ve given them a statistical send-off, counting down some of their most incredible records that may never be broken. We did it for Serena Williams, Roger Federer and most recently Andy Murray.

And now, it’s Rafael Nadal’s turn.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 is playing the final event of his career next week, the Davis Cup Finals, and over the next five days leading up to it we’ll bring you five of his records—one a day—that may never be broken.

Kicking off the countdown is a giant-killing feat.

23 career wins over world No. 1s

Many already knew he would be something special, but on March 28th, 2004, a 17-year-old Nadal truly burst into prominence with a 6-3, 6-3 stunner over then-No. 1 Roger Federer in Miami.

And it wouldn’t be a one-off, either—far, far from it.

Nadal would end up accumulating a record 23 career wins over world No. 1s in his career, which isn’t just the most in ATP rankings history, but the most in ATP or WTA rankings history.

ATP rankings began in 1973, while WTA rankings began in 1975.

MOST CAREER WINS OVER NO. 1s (ATP or WTA rankings history):
23: Rafael Nadal
19: Boris Becker
18: Martina Navratilova
17: Serena Williams
16: Novak Djokovic

Nadal's first 13 wins over a No. 1 all came against Federer between 2004 and 2010, including in the semifinals of Roland Garros in 2005 en route to the first Grand Slam title of his career.

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Nadal’s 23 wins over No. 1s span over 18 years—his first one was the aforementioned victory over Federer at Miami in 2004, and his last one came against Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros in 2022.

All 23 came against his two greatest rivals, too, 13 against Federer (10 on clay, two on hard courts and one on grass) and 10 against Djokovic (eight on clay and two on hard courts).

RAFA’S 23 CAREER WINS AGAINST WORLD NO. 1s:
d. No. 1 Federer in 2004 Miami 3rd Rd
d. No. 1 Federer in 2005 Roland Garros SFs
d. No. 1 Federer in 2006 Dubai F
d. No. 1 Federer in 2006 Monte Carlo F
d. No. 1 Federer in 2006 Rome F
d. No. 1 Federer in 2006 Roland Garros F
d. No. 1 Federer in 2007 Monte Carlo F
d. No. 1 Federer in 2007 Roland Garros F
d. No. 1 Federer in 2008 Monte Carlo F
d. No. 1 Federer in 2008 Hamburg F
d. No. 1 Federer in 2008 Roland Garros F
d. No. 1 Federer in 2008 Wimbledon F
d. No. 1 Federer in 2010 Madrid F
d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2012 Monte Carlo F
d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2012 Rome F
d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2012 Roland Garros F
d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2013 Roland Garros SFs
d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2013 Canada SFs
d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2013 US Open F
d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2019 Rome F
d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2020 Roland Garros F
d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2021 Rome F
d. No. 1 Djokovic in 2022 Roland Garros QFs

Nadal's last 10 wins over No. 1s all came against Djokovic between 2012 and 2022, including in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros in 2022 en route to the final Grand Slam title of his career.

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The countdown of five of Rafa's greatest career records continues tomorrow with No. 4, and a historic streak…