On this day, April 29, back in 2002, a 15-year-old boy from Mallorca took his first step into professional tennis history. Rafael Nadal, just 15 years, 10 months, and 26 days old, made his ATP main tour debut at the Mallorca Open—and he didn’t just show up.
A Wildcard Entry That Changed Everything
Thanks to a wildcard from the tournament director, young Rafa was placed directly into the main draw. Ranked No. 762 in the world, few expected much from the teenager. But what happened next surprised everyone—except maybe the Nadal family.
Playing in front of his home crowd, Nadal faced world No. 81 Ramon Delgado. The result? A straight-sets victory: 6-4, 6-4. A future legend had just announced himself.
That first match was more than just a win—it was the spark of a fire that would one day burn through tennis history. On that day in Mallorca, Rafael Nadal wasn’t just a teenager with potential. He was a force in the making. Fellow players took note, and tennis fans around the world began to hear a name they’d never forget.
Almost 200 Spots in One Swing
That first ATP win wasn’t just symbolic—it came with real momentum. Thanks to his victory at the Mallorca Open, Rafael Nadal jumped nearly 200 places in the ATP rankings, soaring from No. 762 to No. 588. For a teenager barely old enough to drive, this was more than impressive—it was a signal of what was to come.
Riding that early wave of success, Rafa went on a tear in the ITF circuit. He won six consecutive Futures titles, showing he wasn’t just a one-match wonder. In total, he claimed nine Futures titles in 2002, a staggering feat for someone still just 16 by year’s end. And in a rare cameo on the junior circuit, Rafa made his only junior Grand Slam appearance—at Wimbledon, of all places. On the grass (a surface few expected him to thrive on), he reached the semi-finals, reinforcing his all-court potential even at that young age.
Ending 2002 as World No. 200
By the close of the season, Rafa had cracked the ATP Top 200, finishing the year at No. 200 in the world rankings. The tennis world was beginning to understand: this was not your average teenager. Rafael Nadal was coming—and fast.