No. 10, 2022: Nadal wins his 14th Roland Garros—and finally feels the crowd love in ParisOur countdown concludes with the Spaniard winning over the French fans, and his 22nd Grand Slam title.By Steve Tignor Apr 27, 2023
No. 9, 2013: Nadal and Djokovic led each other to a summit in staggering French Open semifinalOn this day, even the man who will likely be the GOAT couldn’t unseat the King of Clay.By Steve Tignor Apr 26, 2023
No. 8, 2012: Nadal wins record seventh Roland Garros by ending seven-match losing streak to DjokovicHe won it over two days, in wildly fluctuating and frustrating conditions. And he won it despite having the closest thing he has ever had to a meltdown in an important match.By Steve Tignor Apr 25, 2023
No. 7, 2011: Nadal ends a difficult match with del Potro, as well as a trying season, with Davis Cup gloryRafa was 0-5 against Djokovic this season. He lost 6-0 sets to Murray and Federer. The bright spot was Davis Cup.By Steve Tignor Apr 24, 2023
No. 6, 2009: A "death in the afternoon" for Nadal, who edges Djokovic three-set Madrid marathonOver those four hours, as well as the two months prior, Nadal and Djokovic had essentially gored each other. Neither was the same for the rest of the year.By Steve Tignor Apr 21, 2023
No. 5, 2006: Nadal refuses to lose in five-hour, five-setter against Federer in RomeThis final was where the Roger-Rafa rivalry began in earnest.By Steve Tignor Apr 21, 2023
No. 4, 2005: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer bring their burgeoning rivalry to clayFrom this moment on, there was no doubt that Rafa was very much a match for Roger.By Steve Tignor Apr 19, 2023
No. 3, 2005: Nadal takes the next step, and puts on his big-boy piratas, in Coria epic in RomeThis final has been overshadowed by what came the following year on the same stage, but it's equally as impressive.By Steve Tignor Apr 18, 2023
No. 2, 2004: Nadal heeds Moya's words, tops Roddick in raucous Davis Cup finalThat emotion and energy felt new when Rafa showed it at 18, and it feels just as new today when we see it from his countryman Carlos Alcaraz.By Steve Tignor Apr 17, 2023
The 10 Matches That Made Rafael Nadal the King of Clay: Our countdown beginsFirst up—an energetic 16-year-old unveils his signature relentless style to the tennis world in Monte Carlo, against the reigning Roland Garros champion.By Steve Tignor Apr 16, 2023
