Rafael Nadal played tennis professionally.
Rafael `` Rafa '' Nadal Parera ( [ rəfəˈɛɫ nəˈðaɫ pəˈɾeɾə ] , [ rafaˈel naˈðal paˈɾeɾa ] ; born 3 June 1986 ) is a Spanish professional tennis player . His evolution into an all-court threat has established him as one of the greatest players in tennis history , with some considering Nadal to be the greatest male player of all time . Nadal is the only male player in tennis history to win one Grand Slam and at least one Masters 1000 title for ten consecutive years from 2005 -- 2014 .