Rafael Nadal 2019 French Open Match Worn 'What The' Sneakers | Worn in 2 Matches | Championship Run

Nicknamed the “King of Clay,” Rafael Nadal holds 22 Grand Slam titles to date. He is widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest tennis player of all time.

These 'What The' sneakers were worn by Rafael Nadal during his iconic 2019 French Open campaign, where he claimed his 12th title at Roland Garros. He defeated Dominic Thiem in the final with a score of 6–3, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1. This victory marked his 12th French Open title, further solidifying his dominance at Roland Garros and in clay-court tennis. 

These sneakers are photo-matched to two pivotal matches in his 2019 French Open run:

• June 2, 2019 - Second Round Match Against Yannick Maden. In this match, Nadal triumphed 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 over the German qualifier.
• June 4, 2019 - Round of 16 Match Against Juan Ignacio Londero. Nadal defeated Londero with a commanding 6–2, 6–3, 6–3 scoreline, demonstrating his unparalleled control and movement on clay. 

The sneakers feature Rafa’s signature bull logo (a reference to his nickname ‘raging bull’), which can be found on almost all of his tournament gear. The bull is made up of two mirrored lightning bolts creating a bull’s head. 

The sneakers are accompanied by a photomatching certificate from Resolution Photomatching in regards to the match use.

Going Deeper | Rafael Nadal

Born in Manacor, a Spanish Island of Mallorca, Rafa began playing tennis at the age of three and was coached by his uncle and former professional tennis player, Toni Nadal. 

Rafa turned professional at 15, and at 17 he became the youngest male since Boris Becker to reach the third round of Wimbledon. In 2005, Rafa stepped onto the clay courts of the French Open for the first time. He would go on to defeat Mariano Puerta and claim his first Grand Slam victory, at 19 years old. The victory catapulted him to the ranking of third best men’s tennis player in the world.

Rafa went on to win every French Open for the next three years, marking four consecutive French Open titles (2005-2008). He was subsequently referred to as the “King of Clay”. In 2008, he won both the French Open and Wimbledon against world number one, Roger Federer. That year he also took home the Gold Medal at the Beijing Olympics, earning the coveted number one ranking.

Aside from his 14 French Open titles, Nadal has won the US Open four times, Wimbledon twice, the Australian Open twice, and also holds the record for most men's singles Grand Slams by a player in the Open era.