Rafael Nadal received a notable award during the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards in the Spanish capital of Madrid. The 22-time Major winner became the second winner of the Laureus Sporting Icon Award, following Valentino Rossi on the exclusive list!
Edwin Moses and Simone Biles honored one of the greatest athletes of all time with his award, with Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz applauding from their seats. Rafa competed as a professional for over two decades, gathering many records and achievements.
The Spaniard had been a Major contender between 2005 and 2022, collecting 22 trophies and standing second on the all-time list behind his greatest rival, Novak Djokovic.
Nadal has been linked with the Laureus Awards for nearly two decades! The Spaniard clinched the 2006 Breakthrough of the Year award following his stellar run a year earlier. Five years later, he clinched his first Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year.
Rafa clinched three Major titles in 2010, securing his second year-end no. 1 season and becoming the youngest winner of a Career Grand Slam. Three years later, Nadal was the Laureus World Comeback of the Year winner.
A left-hander made an incredible comeback from an injury in 2013, lifting two Majors and notching another year-end no. 1 season. Seven years later, Rafa earned his second Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year.
He claimed his 13th Roland Garros title in October 2020, extending his reign in Paris and becoming a proud owner of 20 Major trophies. Four years later, Nadal is the Laureus Sporting Icon Award at home in Madrid. Thus, he received a prestigious honor for everything he achieved and gave to our sport.
Nadal had been struggling with injuries for years but refused to surrender. He overcame a tough 2021 season and conquered the Australian Open and Roland Garros in the first half of 2022. Thus, Rafa became the first player to reach 22 Major crowns.
The veteran looked good to become world no. 1 later that year. However, he injured his abdominal muscle at Wimbledon and withdrew ahead of the semi-final. It would be the last notable event of his outstanding career. Nadal finished the season ranked 2nd behind Carlos Alcaraz.
The 36-year-old experienced a major blow at the 2023 Australian Open. He injured his left hip in the second round and missed the rest of the season. The 22-time Major winner underwent surgery in June and prepared his comeback for the beginning of 2024.
Nadal gave everything to find his old form last year. However, experienced more issues and reached only one ATP 250 final in Bastad. Rafa lost to Novak Djokovic at the Olympic Games and ended his glorious career at the Davis Cup Finals in November in Malaga.
