Rafael Nadal is a professional tennis player known by the nicknames "Rafa", "El Matador", and "El Toro". He is right-handed but plays tennis using his left hand due to being coached by his uncle from a young age. Nadal has rigorous pre-match rituals and stays at the same hotel in Paris for the French Open each year. He began playing tennis at age 4 and opened a tennis school in India in 2010. Though very successful, Nadal lives a humble lifestyle with his long-time girlfriend Xisca away from celebrity culture. He has had a great rivalry with Roger Federer over who will be the top ranked player.

1. “The Right handed Leftie” RafelNadalParera also known as… ”Rafa” “El Matador” “El Toro” “The King of Clay” Profile Right or left handed? Career - Only around 20% of the total earnings!

2. Incredible top-spin rpm=revolutions per minute. Reference, LP 33 rpm. Rituals and Ticks Every year for the French Open he stays at the same hotel in Paris. By habit he takes a shower before every bath. He is always fiddling with his underwear between points. He is meticulously setting up his bottles in a certain way during his matches (apparently the labels have to face the side he is serving from).

3. Family Began playing tennis at age four with his uncle Toni, who is his long-time coach. Rafa used to play with both a two-handed forehand and backhand before his uncle made him change at age nine to a one-handed forehand but using his “wrong” left hand. His other uncle, Miguel Angel Nadal, is a former professional soccer player who played FC Barcelona, Real Mallorca and the Spanish national team Father, Sebastian, is a business partner with two of his brothers. They have a restaurant, Sa Punta, in Manacor and They also own a glass and windows company, Vidres Mallorca. His mothers nameis Ana Maria and his younger sisters name is Maria Isabel. In October 2010, Rafael Nadal opened the Tennis School in Anantpur, India, which hosts district, state and national-level tournaments. The school put equal emphasis on the children’s education as the tennis training

4. Private life When not playing tennis Rafa likes fishing, playing play-station and reading books. Nadal doesn't have any idols but admires Agassi, Sampras and Carlos Moya, also from Mallorca. What most people don‘t know is that Xisca, Maria Francisca Perello, has been Rafa's girlfriend for more than six years. Rafa and Xisca are both very shy and ordinary people who like to live simply. They are not at all interested in a celebrity lifestyle With his girl friend, Xisca. With Shakira, just business.

5. The Great Rivalry So who will be number one 2011? Or maybe the Joker? Tags: el matador, el toro, rolandgarros, humble, noble, consistent, fighting spirit, Real Madrid fan, Mallorca, Manacor, agnostic, philanthropy, Xisca