Rafael Nadal Fashion Retrospective: From sleeveless tops and “pirate” pants to bold and bright in Nike

Turn back the clock and enjoy the evolution of the Spaniard's iconic apparel.

Published May 23, 2024

Rafael Nadal laughs off banner mishap during Madrid career tribute ceremony

If any tennis player’s career is worthy of an apparel retrospective, it’s Rafael Nadal—who exploded onto the tennis scene as a teenager with a head-turning look, and evolved into a fashion risk-taker who isn’t afraid of a little color.

While his Sleeveless Shirt and Pirate Shorts Era (2005-2008) was merely a blip in Nadal’s sartorial chronology, it’s no surprise why it immediately became his signature style. More than a decade since he hung up the clam-diggers, Rafa is still associated with them, recalling his youthful zeal and exuberance.

But as the boy from Mallorca grew up, so did his fashion—complete with the Spaniard’s signature Raging Bull logo, which was unveiled by Nike in 2013. The Nadal name was now associated with more mature silhouettes and ever-shrinking shorts: down to seven inches in 2014, hacking nearly a foot off from the original 18-inch inseam of yesteryear. But his bright colors and eye-catching patterns remained the same, as has his iconic Swoosh headband.

This your fashion life, Rafa:

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16-year-old Rafa in Monte-Carlo circa 2003—before the pirate pants era.

Nadal made an unforgettable Roland Garros debut in 2005.

For Wimbledon that year, the Spaniard went for an elevated take on the sleeveless-capri look with a zip-up top.

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2005 was a defining year for the teenage sensation's fashion, and his signature sleeveless tops and capri pants—as seen here at the US Open.

As players today test how short their shorts can get, back in 2005 Nadal was rocking an 18-inch inseam.

In 2007, the sleeveless-capri look dabbled in design, flirted with flare and patterned its prints—an early sign of bolder hues to come.

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At a doubles match in Rome, Nadal rocked a rare bandana as he wore a matching blue-and-black kit with fellow Mallorcan and future coach Carlos Moya.

Nadal lifted the Wimbledon trophy for the first time in 2008, and took in a moment for the ages in an instantly recognizable Nike warmup jacket and luxury watch.

It couldn't be a Rafa Fashion Rewind without him wearing his country’s colors: At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, he represented Spain with this patriotic tee and offset headband.

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New year, new look: In 2009 Nadal surprised fans by ditching the sleeveless shirts for a cleaner silhouette on his way to victory at the 2009 Australian Open.

This was also the year that Rafa's on-court style took a more colorful turn—like in this yellow, black and blue kit at the US Open.

Nadal's victory at the 2010 US Open is remembered for not only completing a Career Grand Slam, but also for this all-black Nike night-session kit.

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With his name synonymous with red clay, Nadal's 2012 Roland Garros-winning look was inspired by his favorite surface.

Another dark, muted kit—another US Open title. Nadal kept a good trend going during his 2013 championship run in New York.

Nadal opted for high-contrast in this cyan and black Nike kit during his 2015 run in Shanghai.

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During his run to the 2017 Australian Open final, Nadal fired forehands in a cool mix of black and white, with a pop of neon pink.

Nadal brought back the all-black Nike kit—this time with a pop of purple—and made a return to sleeveless shirt during his vintage 2019 US Open title run.

In 2020, Roland Garros was rescheduled for October due to COVID-19. Nadal returned to his new normal of winning clay-court Grand Slam titles in this light blue and bubble-gum pink kit.

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Nadal marked his 22nd Grand Slam title at the 2022 Australian Open in this deep purple and teal kit.

Nadal went with teal and yellow during his route to the 2022 Roland Garros crown—at the time, it was a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title.

Nadal has kept on bringing the bright colors and eye-catching combos during what's expected to be his farewell season—seen here in pastel purple at the Madrid Open.

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