With his long hair, lean body, and Spanish heritage he could easily be mistaken for a soccer player, but tennis is this athlete's sport of choice. Born in Mallorca, one of Spain's sun-drenched Mediterranean islands, Rafael Nadal is currently ranked number two worldwide in men's singles. This twenty-year-old began to attract attention when, at the age of fifteen, he became the ninth tennis player ever to win an ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Tour match before turning sixteen. Affectionately known by family, friends, and fans alike as Rafa, he's just finished a record-breaking year and is poised for more accolades in 2007.

Rafael started playing tennis at the age of four with his uncle Toni, who's been his coach from the beginning of his career. Since turning pro in 2001, Rafael has collected an impressive array of achievements. He was the youngest player in history to win the Davis Cup-on his first try, too. He also was the youngest player ever to reach the final of the Nasdaq-100 Open. In 2005 Rafa won the French Open, and he just celebrated his 18th career title in men's singles. He's been compared to everyone from Sweden's Björn Borg to Germany's Boris Becker.

He plays left-handed despite being right-handed. Rafa dons his own unique style on the tennis court with his trademark sleeveless T-shirts and long pantaloons. Standing tall at 6'1" and weighing 188 pounds, Rafael is all muscle, and off-court he stays fit by training with weights. Highly competitive, he also knows how to unwind and have fun. Favorite pastimes include hanging out with friends, playing golf, and fishing off the coast of his island home. A Gemini, Rafael fits his zodiac sign perfectly with the two sides of his personality: Fiercely aggressive on the courts, yet charming and easygoing with his friends and fans. We'll be looking for more firsts from this up-and-coming tennis star with the winning smile.