SUMMARY
- An asteroid, formerly known as 128036, now bears the tennis legend, Rafael Nadal's name, recognized by the Astronomical Observatory of Mallorca.
- Nadal's galactic honor follows his historic victory at Wimbledon 2008, marking a unique intersection of sports and astronomy that resonated globally across fans.
Rafael Nadal, the iconic Spanish tennis legend, has etched his name not just in the annals of tennis history but also in the grand expanse of the universe. The Astronomical Observatory of Mallorca recognized Nadal’s greatness by naming an asteroid after him.
Formerly known only by its identification number 128036, this celestial body, approximately four kilometers in diameter, now carries the name of the tennis maestro. A spokesperson for the observatory hailed Nadal as “one of the greatest tennis players of all time.”
Nadal’s recognition adds another dimension to the unique honors bestowed upon him. While other tennis greats like Federer have had stamps issued in their honor, the Spaniard has gone a step further. This galactic tribute followed Nadal’s remarkable victory at the 2008 Wimbledon finals, his first triumph at the prestigious tournament.
Asteroid named Rafael Nadal
posted Aug 27, 2011, 5:11 AM by TrishNadalThe International Astronomical Union approved a request placed by the Astronomical Observatory of Mallorca that the asteroid be named in tribute to “one of the greatest tennis players of all time.” pic.twitter.com/tZAF7hM1mC
— Yin Nooy 🎾RN🐐 (@YinNooy) October 12, 2019
The asteroid, which was originally discovered in 2003, now proudly bears the name “Rafael Nadal.” The announcement of renaming it the Spanish maestro’s namesake marked a unique intersection of sports and astronomy and resonated among fans globally, with one aptly stating, “Of course he is out of the world.”
Of course…he’s out of this world! 😆
— LizNYNY (@liznyny) October 13, 2019
The Spanish legend’s influence has extended beyond the tennis court in the past as well. The Valladolid City Council in Spain renamed a street Rafael Nadal Street, further testifying to his widespread influence.
Director Craig Tiley makes a bold Rafael Nadal prediction for AO 2025
Rafael Nadal recently suffered a muscle injury during the Brisbane International, which marked his comeback to competitive tennis. Prioritizing caution and aiming to prolong his return, he decided to skip the first Grand Slam of 2024, the Australian Open.
Hi all, during my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried. Once I got to Melbourne I have had the chance to make an MRI and I have micro tear on a muscle, not in the same part where I had the injury and that’s good news.
Right… pic.twitter.com/WpApfzjf3C— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 7, 2024
At 37, turning 38 in June, Nadal conveyed his concerns about not being prepared physically for the demanding five-set matches in Majors. Despite the setback, Australian Open Director Craig Tiley remains optimistic about seeing Nadal on the Melbourne courts in 2025.
Tiley conveyed his eagerness for a personal meeting with Nadal, highlighting the Spaniard’s passion for the game. Tiley stated, “He loves to play, and of course, we would love to have him back in Melbourne under any circumstances – whether he’s playing or whatever else he’s doing.”
On the question of whether Nadal will play again at the Australian Open, Tiley emphatically exclaimed, “I’m absolutely planning on seeing him next year.” Nadal’s decision to withdraw and take care of his body before he comes back to play again echoes the challenges he faced with a hip injury that marred his entire 2023 season, culminating in an early exit from the Australian Open a year ago.