Barcelona and Rafa Nadal, a love story that began 20 years ago

21.04.2025

RNA Editorial.

Twenty years ago, Rafa Nadal took his first leap into the pool at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899 as a champion. Rafa didn’t know it yet, but the legendary image of the majestic Conde de Godó Trophy above his head would be repeated relentlessly in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021, totaling a historic dozen. All the trophies are housed in the Rafa Nadal Museum in Manacor.

The Spaniard arrived in Barcelona on April 18, 2005, one day after opening his trophy cabinet with his first ATP Masters 1000 crown. It was the icing on the cake for a start to the season in which he had won titles in Costa do Sauipe, Acapulco, as well as in the Principality, in addition to reaching another final in Miami.

His 30-6 match record had allowed him to jump from No. 51 in the PIF ATP Rankings at the start of the season to No. 11 in the world before embarking on his second adventure in the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell . His only previous experience in 2003, when he was 16, had resulted in a 6-0 (Ret) victory over Juan Antonio Marín and a defeat to  Alex Corretja in the second round (6-3, 2-6, 1-6).

In 2005, the situation was different. His 18 years didn’t guarantee many hours of flying time on the track, but he promised enough enthusiasm, hunger, and ambition to be a contender for the crown. Especially after having begun a winning streak on clay the week before in Monte Carlo that he would eventually extend to 81.

“The streak can change at any moment. Although I’m playing well, there will certainly be bad moments,” he was quick to comment before his debut. Nadal, seeded eighth, was part of a draw that also included other specialists on the surface, such as his compatriots Carlos Moyá (seeded No. 3) and  Tommy Robredo (No. 6) or the Argentines Gastón Gaudio (No. 2), Guillermo Coria (No. 4) or Guillermo Cañas (No. 5).

Free to play the first round due to his status as favorite, he made his way directly into the second round against Gilles Muller , clearing any doubts by 6-0, 6-2 in just 52 minutes. In the third round he repeated his exhibition against  Dominik Hrbaty 6-1, 6-2 and in the quarterfinals he had only given up two games, when Agustín Calleri retired at 6-2, 3-0 (Ret).  Radek Stepanek was able to take a set from him in the hour and 20 minutes that the semi-final lasted (7-5, 6-2).

“I’ve already achieved the goal I had at the beginning of the season, even if I don’t win anything else. But goals keep changing. Maybe more will be demanded of me now. What I’ll try to do is go out on the court with humility and give my all,” Nadal confessed before learning that he would secure a spot in the Top 10 by the end of the week.

His great form would therefore be put to the test in the final round against the former world No. 1 and 2001 tournament champion, Juan Carlos Ferrero . In the final—then played in a best-of-five set format—Nadal maintained his solidity to secure a 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-3 victory in two hours and 56 minutes.

Nadal became the youngest Spaniard to break into the Top 10 after winning his first title at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell , and the youngest player to do so on the ATP Tour since Andrei Medvedev in 1983.

“I’ve always talked about the Top 10, and now I’m one of them. After all, from 51st (where I started the year) to 7th, there’s just one number. What I’m trying to do is have fun on the court,” he said after the tournament. “I’ve always prepared myself to the max. I work with humility and have improved my tennis a lot. The important thing is not to be content with what you have, but to always want more.”

That record of precocity in the elite of the ATP Tour remained unbroken until April 23, 2022, when his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz , at the same age (18) and in the same place, managed to break into the world’s top ten. From the Murcia-born player’s bench, Ferrero was closely watching his every move, and in 2025 he will join him in this year’s edition in search of his third title.

His wake will endure forever in the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell . This year will be the first without his racquet in use, but his name will remain on the Rafa Nadal Center Court for another season. And all his trophies will continue to shine in the Rafa Nadal Museum.