August

Watch: Rafa Nadal Celebrates Anniversary

<![CDATA[Fifteen years ago, Rafa laid his first love bite on an ATP trophy.]]>

By Chris Oddo
08/14/2019

Rafael Nadal captured his first ATP title on the red clay of Sopot.Tennis has never been the same.More: Federer on Favorite Practice PartnersFifteen years ago today, a then 71st-ranked Nadal defeated Jose Acasuso, 6-3, 6-4, to win his first career ATP title in Sopot.Watch the teenage Nadal's reaction to his maiden title below.

Notice another legendary left-hander, Hall of Famer Guillermo Vilas, was on hand to present the young Nadal with his first title trophy.It was the first of many love bites Nadal has laid on title trophies over the past 15 years.The 18-time Grand Slam champion has won 83 career titles, including the Rogers Cup in Montreal last Sunday.Shortly after Nadal's title run in Sopot, Vilas told Tennis Week Magazine the young Spaniard would win multiple Grand Slam crowns and compete for the world No. 1 ranking.He was right.Photo credit: Christopher Levy ]]>

Chris Oddo. Chris Oddo is a freelance sportswriter, podcaster, blogger and social media marker who is a lead contributor to Tennisnow.com. He also writes for USOpen.org, Rolandgarros.com, BNPParibasOpen.com, TennisTV.com, WTAtennis.com and the official US Open program.

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Watch: Rafa Nadal Celebrates Anniversary

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