Rafael Nadal helps clear-up after Majorca floods | CNN

Rafael Nadal helps clear up after Majorca floods

2 minute read
Updated 8:02 AM EDT, Thu October 11, 2018
A lot has changed since a 19-year-old Rafael Nadal became only the second man in history to win Roland Garros at the first attempt. The bulging biceps, long hair and headband remain, but the Spaniard's sense of style has certainly changed.
A lot has changed since a 19-year-old Rafael Nadal became only the second man in history to win Roland Garros at the first attempt. The bulging biceps, long hair and headband remain, but the Spaniard's sense of style has certainly changed.
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Nadal went into his first French Open as an inexperienced 18-year-old and emerged a grand slam champion -- beating Roger Federer in the semifinals on his 19th birthday. The 2005 season was the birth of what would go on to be Nadal's classic look: sleeveless top and three-quarter length shorts.
2005 —
Nadal went into his first French Open as an inexperienced 18-year-old and emerged a grand slam champion -- beating Roger Federer in the semifinals on his 19th birthday. The 2005 season was the birth of what would go on to be Nadal's classic look: sleeveless top and three-quarter length shorts.
Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
By the following year, Nadal had cemented his place among tennis' elite and was developing a fearsome reputation on clay. This time wearing a slightly less garish light blue, Nadal picked up his second consecutive French Open title by becoming the first man to beat Roger Federer in a grand slam final.
2006 —
By the following year, Nadal had cemented his place among tennis' elite and was developing a fearsome reputation on clay. This time wearing a slightly less garish light blue, Nadal picked up his second consecutive French Open title by becoming the first man to beat Roger Federer in a grand slam final.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
In 2007, the then 20-year-old Nadal's status as the 'King of Clay' was sealed. Defeat to Federer at the Masters Series in Hamburg ended an 81-match unbeaten streak on clay, which remains a men's Open Era record today. At that year's French Open, Nadal opted for the reverse of 2006's top-bandana combo -- this time with matching trainers to boot.
2007 —
In 2007, the then 20-year-old Nadal's status as the 'King of Clay' was sealed. Defeat to Federer at the Masters Series in Hamburg ended an 81-match unbeaten streak on clay, which remains a men's Open Era record today. At that year's French Open, Nadal opted for the reverse of 2006's top-bandana combo -- this time with matching trainers to boot.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
A year later, Nadal opted for a variation on his debut French Option look, this time sporting an all-green combo. Nadal reached world No. 1 for the first time in his career in 2008, helped by his fourth consecutive Roland Garros title -- matching Bjorn Borg's record of consecutive trophies, while also becoming only the seventh man to win a grand slam without dropping a set.
2008 —
A year later, Nadal opted for a variation on his debut French Option look, this time sporting an all-green combo. Nadal reached world No. 1 for the first time in his career in 2008, helped by his fourth consecutive Roland Garros title -- matching Bjorn Borg's record of consecutive trophies, while also becoming only the seventh man to win a grand slam without dropping a set.
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Nadal's first dramatic transformation came in 2009. Gone were the sleeveless shirts and three-quarter lengths, in came the sleeves and fluorescent, clashing colors. Perhaps it was the sleeves restricting the powerful arms (or maybe a knee injury), but Nadal suffered the first of only two French Open defeats. Despite a shock fourth-round loss to Robin Soderling, Nadal set a record of 31 consecutive wins at Roland Garros.
2009 —
Nadal's first dramatic transformation came in 2009. Gone were the sleeveless shirts and three-quarter lengths, in came the sleeves and fluorescent, clashing colors. Perhaps it was the sleeves restricting the powerful arms (or maybe a knee injury), but Nadal suffered the first of only two French Open defeats. Despite a shock fourth-round loss to Robin Soderling, Nadal set a record of 31 consecutive wins at Roland Garros.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
In 2010, Nadal bounced back from the 2009 disappointment with a daring multicolored number. He went on to exact revenge on Soderling, beating him in the final after the Swede had upset Federer in the quarterfinals. Federer's failure to reach the semis meant Nadal regained the world No. 1 spot, while it was also the second time he won the French Open without dropping a set.
2010 —
In 2010, Nadal bounced back from the 2009 disappointment with a daring multicolored number. He went on to exact revenge on Soderling, beating him in the final after the Swede had upset Federer in the quarterfinals. Federer's failure to reach the semis meant Nadal regained the world No. 1 spot, while it was also the second time he won the French Open without dropping a set.
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The following year, Nadal dialed down the brightness, instead choosing to return to one of his earliest Roland Garros styles. And it worked -- he maintained his No. 1 ranking throughout the clay court season and beat perennial rival Federer in the final.
2011 —
The following year, Nadal dialed down the brightness, instead choosing to return to one of his earliest Roland Garros styles. And it worked -- he maintained his No. 1 ranking throughout the clay court season and beat perennial rival Federer in the final.
THOMAS COEX/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Perhaps in an attempt to gain the upper hand on opponents by blending into the clay, Nadal opted for an orange-ish-red look for the first time at the French Open. It appeared to work, as Nadal dropped just 30 games in the first five rounds, before beating Djokovic in four sets in the final to claim his seventh Roland Garros title and surpass Borg as the tournament's most successful player.
2012 —
Perhaps in an attempt to gain the upper hand on opponents by blending into the clay, Nadal opted for an orange-ish-red look for the first time at the French Open. It appeared to work, as Nadal dropped just 30 games in the first five rounds, before beating Djokovic in four sets in the final to claim his seventh Roland Garros title and surpass Borg as the tournament's most successful player.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The 2013 French Open was the debut of Nadal's latest wardrobe change: the short shorts. In an all-Spanish final, Nadal defeated David Ferrer in straight sets -- although bizarrely dropped from fourth in the world to fifth after his victory.
2013 —
The 2013 French Open was the debut of Nadal's latest wardrobe change: the short shorts. In an all-Spanish final, Nadal defeated David Ferrer in straight sets -- although bizarrely dropped from fourth in the world to fifth after his victory.
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Perhaps a sign of entering into his late 20s, Nadal's colors switched from fluorescent to more mellow tones. Despite being hampered by injuries and suffering surprise defeats early in the clay court season, Nadal grinded out arguably his most impressive Roland Garros victory. Another victory in the final against Djokovic took him to 14 grand slams (level with Pete Sampras) and it was his fifth straight French Open triumph.
2014 —
Perhaps a sign of entering into his late 20s, Nadal's colors switched from fluorescent to more mellow tones. Despite being hampered by injuries and suffering surprise defeats early in the clay court season, Nadal grinded out arguably his most impressive Roland Garros victory. Another victory in the final against Djokovic took him to 14 grand slams (level with Pete Sampras) and it was his fifth straight French Open triumph.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Nadal's struggle to find form continued into 2015's clay court season, dropping outside of the world's top five for the first time since 2005. Looking like an athletic version of the Cookie Monster, Nadal crashed out of the French Open in the quarterfinals to Djokovic. It ended his 39-match unbeaten run and marked just his second defeat on the Parisian clay.
2015 —
Nadal's struggle to find form continued into 2015's clay court season, dropping outside of the world's top five for the first time since 2005. Looking like an athletic version of the Cookie Monster, Nadal crashed out of the French Open in the quarterfinals to Djokovic. It ended his 39-match unbeaten run and marked just his second defeat on the Parisian clay.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The following year, the shorts got even shorter and the two-tone top returned as Nadal exited the French Open in the third round -- although this time it was a wrist injury that defeated him. Despite the disappointment, there was another milestone for Nadal as he became only the eighth man to reach 200 grand slam wins.
2016 —
The following year, the shorts got even shorter and the two-tone top returned as Nadal exited the French Open in the third round -- although this time it was a wrist injury that defeated him. Despite the disappointment, there was another milestone for Nadal as he became only the eighth man to reach 200 grand slam wins.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Nadal debuted his strong blue look against Benoit Paire in the first round and the King of Clay went on to complete "'La Decima" of 10 Roland Garros titles.
2017 —
Nadal debuted his strong blue look against Benoit Paire in the first round and the King of Clay went on to complete "'La Decima" of 10 Roland Garros titles.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
French Open: Rafael Nadal's Roland Garros evolution

Story highlights

Nadal offers academy to house flood victims

At least 10 killed on Spanish island Majorca

CNN  — 

Tennis great Rafa Nadal has joined in with clean-up efforts following devastating flash floods in his native Majorca which have left at least 10 people dead and others missing.

The 17-time grand slam champion was out with a broom on the streets of Sant Llorenç, a town near the east coast of the Spanish island, clearing mud and water from the roads.

Nadal, who returned to the top of the world rankings after a record 11th victory at this year’s French Open, owns a tennis academy in the nearby town of Manacor which he offered up to victims left homeless in the wake of the flooding.

“Sad day in Majorca,” Nadal wrote on Twitter. “My most sincere condolences to the families of the passed and those hurt by the severe floods in San Llorenç.

“As we did yesterday [Tuesday], we’re again offering the facilities of the Rafa Nadal Academy for all those affected if they need housing.”

READ: Federer offers advice to Kyrgios after new meltdown

READ: Serena Williams’ US Open outburst leaves women’s Tour divided

Members of the military and the emergency services have been deployed to the Sant Llorenç area, where roads have been cut off and schools were closed Wednesday because of the flooding.

The UK Foreign Office confirmed that two of the 10 people killed were British citizens, while regional authorities also said that a child remains missing.

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal smiles during the opening of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor on October 19, 2016. / AFP / JAIME REINA (Photo credit should read JAIME REINA/AFP/Getty Images)
Video Ad Feedback
The Matador's dream comes true
05:11 - Source: CNN

Nadal’s rival Novak Djokovic sent a message of support to the victims while competing at the Shanghai Masters in China.

“I want to send my best wishes and strength and good energy to everyone to go through this. I can only imagine how difficult it is, especially for people who have been in the epicenter of everything,” said the Serb.

“I want to send a big hug and a friendly regard to Rafa Nadal – well done amigo for helping out.”

Real Madrid footballer and Majorca native Marco Asensio also tweeted his support to the victims of the flash floods.

“My most heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased due to the severe flooding in Sant Llorenç,” wrote the midfielder. “All of my support for those affected.”

Visit cnn.com/tennis for more news and videos

Champions League winner Real Madrid sent its “condolences” to all those affected in the floods and held a minute’s silence before training Thursday.