Rafael Nadal is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and he’s had to work incredibly hard on and off the court to stay at the top
Rafael Nadal has always understood the importance of a proper diet when it comes to in-game performance. Tennis is one of the most physically demanding sports globally, and Nadal’s nearly two-decade reign at the top is a testament to his unwavering commitment both on and off the court.
In his early career, the Spaniard scoffed chips, guzzled Coca-Cola, and spread Nutella on just about everything. However, in 2013, a professional nutritionist revamped his student-like eating habits.
Fast forward 11 years, and the 38-year-old now adheres to a strict anti-inflammatory diet primarily comprising fish, green vegetables, rice, and potatoes. According to nutritionist Nuria Granados, he has completely cut out meat, cheese, and cold cuts.
“Knowing how difficult it is to make changes in anyone’s diet, Rafa still being willing to accept changes after winning everything he’s won eating in a certain way is another testament to his humility and greatness,” she told Spanish outlet Relevo.
Earlier this month, Nadal announced he’d be retiring from the game after competing at the Davis Cup in November. Over the course of his illustrious career, he’s won 22 Grand Slam titles, second only to Novak Djokovic, averaging 1.22 major wins per year over an impressive 18-year stretch.
The tennis icon has previously attributed his remarkable longevity to his healthy diet, and recently revealed its significant impact on his mental wellbeing too. “I realised the importance of nutrition much later [than I should have],” he said at an event in Madrid.
“When someone gets used to doing things from a young age, it evolves naturally,” he added. “It has taken me a lot of effort.
“Today I am very aware that taking care of yourself and your body is vital. Not just for playing sports, but for having health and vitality necessary for happiness.”
Nadal burst onto the tennis scene as a teenager in the early 2000s, and immediately started gunning for the top. He won the French Open on his first attempt in 2005 when he was only 19 and staggeringly went on to win the trophy a further 13 times.
He also secured two Wimbledon titles, two Australian Open titles and four US Open titles, and is one of a select group of five players in history to have achieved the so-called Olympic Slam – which involves winning all four majors as well as an Olympic gold medal.
