![Juan Carlos Ferrero. The 2003 French Open champion Ferrero enjoyed a dominant 7-5, 6-1 win over Nadal in the 2008 Rome Masters first round. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RINGTNBNI3ZDRJDYQJCAPWK6GY.jpg?smart=true&auth=143181699ab16762693c56dc3bfed73bf42da6f670b27e644cfb0fdfd05cfb3e&width=400&height=225)
![Stefanos Tsitsipas. The rising star of men's tennis added a win over Nadal on clay to his list of accomplishments in May. The Greek triumphed 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in their semi-final match. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VO2XFVU4XVIK7FQRZYYS5LNUH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c67cc8af9954800b8aa988f6ddee1ca31dfbeaa97220f64417ce1fda33d3cbf6&width=400&height=225)
![Dominic Thiem. The Austrian is the only man to have multiple wins over Nadal in the past three years on clay. He won in Barcelona in April. Before then he had won in straight sets in the Madrid Masters quarter-finals 12 months ago, and then before that in the last eight of the Rome Masters in 2017. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2IYTWRYLU7JF4Z4MSYICI7MS4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=89756339452f3499354b575feadb7d3697f118e1e0e2482a47dd2f0594781bb4&width=400&height=225)
![Novak Djokovic. The world No 1 has been comfortably the most successful player against Nadal during this time of the tennis season. He boasts seven victories over the Spaniard on clay, most recently in 2016 at the Rome Masters. He also beat him in the quarter-finals of the French Open in 2015. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MTAZHCUHUWSYTPLK7JREWJSKWY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f82d6c1510ab1e5f5e928497197e8a8c9790e96923addc5f6d027af232ad5d6d&width=400&height=225)
![Andy Murray. A measure of how good the Briton got on clay was the fact he holds two victories over Nadal. The three-time major winner defeated him in Madrid in both 2015 and 2016. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/THAP3WLIWMMVYCB5TO4HPXXMIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=094ec136038d4eeeecfad18aeeb3d11a2475f82a81c5fdadde9797b81c7dab6a&width=400&height=225)
![Stan Wawrinka. Wawrinka won the French Open in 2015. His confidence would have been helped by beating Nadal in straight sets in the quarter-finals in Rome prior to that tournament. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HAWRUKUGY4TM6QUPBSZFPUUYYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=22bb1b036140cafa97869836194b78727dc76ae5c165c806195194c21fc01ad9&width=400&height=225)
![Fabio Fognini. The Italian's lone success over Nadal came in Barcelona in 2015 when he triumphed in the last 16 in straight sets. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BCVN6CTT6DG5RVCKV7R2S3H5JI.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b30c79e814ba4819135087a6c04a1550adf3d1c086e8a7d1c811059a711e4d9&width=400&height=225)
![Pablo Cuevas. The Uruguayan, with a career high ranking of No 19, is one of the surprise names on this list. He defeated Nadal in the semi-finals of the Rio 500 in February 2015. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SYBKL4UFAWDWBD4RNVW4K677VQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a3d042481a8177c0f290ee3ac48a37b76a5e36f8fa9c319da5c209320641d98b&width=400&height=225)
![Nicolas Almagro. The Spaniard's moment of success over his illustrious compatriot came in Barcelona in 2014 where he came from a set down to win in their quarter-final clash. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M277AEXMR6RFSKSNK6P4VD7UDY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b686f3ce90d3fe475a508998165e8c9287e2d3d1900266a5158c1790119c1e37&width=400&height=225)
![David Ferrer. Ferrer's sole win, so far in his career, over Nadal on clay came in Monte Carlo in 2014 as he prevailed in straight sets. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OUFTKF2KTJNJKUP6UVZE6JODTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=974cbabca4aba190a97b27b7898738db6eadc5c92ad507402f220b42fd3f1091&width=400&height=225)
![Horacio Zeballos. The other surprise name on the list. The Argentine, whose highest career ranking is No 39, achieved in 2013, was victorious over Nadal that year. He beat in Chile in the Vina del Mar final. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OYZJE3D3WHX2APY5CUZ7MXYBDM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f3a858df42bd2e47539c99283842d359d921aba80fea2f72ded7a36c76a13e5b&width=400&height=225)
![Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco got one over on Nadal in 2012 in Madrid, come from a set down to win their last-16 encounter. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YBFFGJQ456ZEX73EHZK5CYPJJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ccd6ca7590fa6544648604b4f4cb4bf1173e7265110b430df468f3f35a5b8c79&width=400&height=225)
![Robin Soderling. The Swede's lone success on clay against Nadal still remains one of the biggest shock results in tennis history. Soderling became the first person to beat Nadal at the French Open in 2009, triumphing in four sets. The result ended a streak of 31 wins in a row for Nadal. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LD7KYUW6TRI2DTNIP2UERF3QRM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7ee0f7eec311d930e6f1c12373f30b319b6239bde3a8af73151f0a6219e6df0&width=400&height=225)
![Roger Federer. The 20-time major winner has enjoyed an epic rivalry over the years with Nadal. Clay has been where Nadal has dominated their encounters, but Federer has prevailed twice. He won the finals in Madrid in 2009 and Hamburg in 2007 against him. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3TLCJV3TUFB3KEMWCHFTJJHQVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=aaa0997e74a7c9381c096b5dcd53c1eefdda6d3c7d5cd624dc7aa6d6e4cddbe0&width=400&height=225)
![Juan Carlos Ferrero. The 2003 French Open champion Ferrero enjoyed a dominant 7-5, 6-1 win over Nadal in the 2008 Rome Masters first round. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RINGTNBNI3ZDRJDYQJCAPWK6GY.jpg?smart=true&auth=143181699ab16762693c56dc3bfed73bf42da6f670b27e644cfb0fdfd05cfb3e&width=400&height=225)
![Stefanos Tsitsipas. The rising star of men's tennis added a win over Nadal on clay to his list of accomplishments in May. The Greek triumphed 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in their semi-final match. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VO2XFVU4XVIK7FQRZYYS5LNUH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c67cc8af9954800b8aa988f6ddee1ca31dfbeaa97220f64417ce1fda33d3cbf6&width=400&height=225)
![Dominic Thiem. The Austrian is the only man to have multiple wins over Nadal in the past three years on clay. He won in Barcelona in April. Before then he had won in straight sets in the Madrid Masters quarter-finals 12 months ago, and then before that in the last eight of the Rome Masters in 2017. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2IYTWRYLU7JF4Z4MSYICI7MS4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=89756339452f3499354b575feadb7d3697f118e1e0e2482a47dd2f0594781bb4&width=400&height=225)
![Novak Djokovic. The world No 1 has been comfortably the most successful player against Nadal during this time of the tennis season. He boasts seven victories over the Spaniard on clay, most recently in 2016 at the Rome Masters. He also beat him in the quarter-finals of the French Open in 2015. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MTAZHCUHUWSYTPLK7JREWJSKWY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f82d6c1510ab1e5f5e928497197e8a8c9790e96923addc5f6d027af232ad5d6d&width=400&height=225)
![Andy Murray. A measure of how good the Briton got on clay was the fact he holds two victories over Nadal. The three-time major winner defeated him in Madrid in both 2015 and 2016. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/THAP3WLIWMMVYCB5TO4HPXXMIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=094ec136038d4eeeecfad18aeeb3d11a2475f82a81c5fdadde9797b81c7dab6a&width=400&height=225)
![Stan Wawrinka. Wawrinka won the French Open in 2015. His confidence would have been helped by beating Nadal in straight sets in the quarter-finals in Rome prior to that tournament. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HAWRUKUGY4TM6QUPBSZFPUUYYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=22bb1b036140cafa97869836194b78727dc76ae5c165c806195194c21fc01ad9&width=400&height=225)
![Fabio Fognini. The Italian's lone success over Nadal came in Barcelona in 2015 when he triumphed in the last 16 in straight sets. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BCVN6CTT6DG5RVCKV7R2S3H5JI.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b30c79e814ba4819135087a6c04a1550adf3d1c086e8a7d1c811059a711e4d9&width=400&height=225)
![Pablo Cuevas. The Uruguayan, with a career high ranking of No 19, is one of the surprise names on this list. He defeated Nadal in the semi-finals of the Rio 500 in February 2015. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SYBKL4UFAWDWBD4RNVW4K677VQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a3d042481a8177c0f290ee3ac48a37b76a5e36f8fa9c319da5c209320641d98b&width=400&height=225)
![Nicolas Almagro. The Spaniard's moment of success over his illustrious compatriot came in Barcelona in 2014 where he came from a set down to win in their quarter-final clash. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M277AEXMR6RFSKSNK6P4VD7UDY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b686f3ce90d3fe475a508998165e8c9287e2d3d1900266a5158c1790119c1e37&width=400&height=225)
![David Ferrer. Ferrer's sole win, so far in his career, over Nadal on clay came in Monte Carlo in 2014 as he prevailed in straight sets. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OUFTKF2KTJNJKUP6UVZE6JODTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=974cbabca4aba190a97b27b7898738db6eadc5c92ad507402f220b42fd3f1091&width=400&height=225)
![Horacio Zeballos. The other surprise name on the list. The Argentine, whose highest career ranking is No 39, achieved in 2013, was victorious over Nadal that year. He beat in Chile in the Vina del Mar final. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OYZJE3D3WHX2APY5CUZ7MXYBDM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f3a858df42bd2e47539c99283842d359d921aba80fea2f72ded7a36c76a13e5b&width=400&height=225)
![Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco got one over on Nadal in 2012 in Madrid, come from a set down to win their last-16 encounter. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YBFFGJQ456ZEX73EHZK5CYPJJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ccd6ca7590fa6544648604b4f4cb4bf1173e7265110b430df468f3f35a5b8c79&width=400&height=225)
![Robin Soderling. The Swede's lone success on clay against Nadal still remains one of the biggest shock results in tennis history. Soderling became the first person to beat Nadal at the French Open in 2009, triumphing in four sets. The result ended a streak of 31 wins in a row for Nadal. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LD7KYUW6TRI2DTNIP2UERF3QRM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7ee0f7eec311d930e6f1c12373f30b319b6239bde3a8af73151f0a6219e6df0&width=400&height=225)
![Roger Federer. The 20-time major winner has enjoyed an epic rivalry over the years with Nadal. Clay has been where Nadal has dominated their encounters, but Federer has prevailed twice. He won the finals in Madrid in 2009 and Hamburg in 2007 against him. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3TLCJV3TUFB3KEMWCHFTJJHQVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=aaa0997e74a7c9381c096b5dcd53c1eefdda6d3c7d5cd624dc7aa6d6e4cddbe0&width=400&height=225)
![Juan Carlos Ferrero. The 2003 French Open champion Ferrero enjoyed a dominant 7-5, 6-1 win over Nadal in the 2008 Rome Masters first round. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RINGTNBNI3ZDRJDYQJCAPWK6GY.jpg?smart=true&auth=143181699ab16762693c56dc3bfed73bf42da6f670b27e644cfb0fdfd05cfb3e&width=400&height=225)
The 14 men who have beaten Rafael Nadal on clay since 2005 - in pictures
As Nadal looks for another dominant year on the clay court part of the ATP Tour season, here is a look at the players who have claimed a success over him in the past on the red surface
Graham Caygill
June 05, 2019
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