Rafael Nadal: Projecting Tennis Star's Career Grand Slam Count

With the recent news that tennis star Rafael Nadal will miss at least two more months with a partially torn tendon in his knee, now seems like the perfect time to project his final Grand Slam tally.

Nadal turned 26 years old last June, and boasts 11 career Grand Slam titles, including seven on the red clay of Roland Garros at the French Open. 

So, how will Rafa's uncertain future pan out?

Here, we project Nadal's final Grand Slam count.

Australian Open

Rafael Nadal has won only once at the Australian Open. He defeated Roger Federer in five sets in 2009 to bring home his first Aussie title and sixth career Grand Slam championship.

Based on Rafa's success rate in Melbourne, though, where he has won 35-of-42 singles matches, it's safe to assume he will add at least one more Australian Open title to his trophy case before it's all said and done.

Nadal made the final in Australia earlier this year, but lost in a grueling five-set match to Novak Djokovic. Rafa had plenty of opportunities to come away with the match win but made some costly mistakes down the stretch.

Career Projection: 2 titles

French Open

Nadal lives for the French Open. He is arguably the greatest clay court tennis player in the history of the sport, and boasts a Open era record seven titles at Roland Garros. 

Rafa has lost only once at the French Open in career singles play—sporting a 52-1 record there over eight career tournaments. 

Considering Nadal is only 26 years old, I think it's safe to believe that the King of Clay will win at least three more French Open championships. 

With 10 titles at Roland Garros, Nadal's record there would likely never be touched. 

Career Projection: 10 titles

Wimbledon

Aside from the French Open, Wimbledon is Rafa's best Grand Slam tournament. Nadal has won nearly 86 percent of his singles matches at the All England Club since beginning play there.

He has won two career Wimbledon titles—most recently in 2010. In addition to two Wimbledon crowns, Nadal has made the final in London on three other occasions.

Based on the fact that Nadal has made it to the final at Wimbledon five times in eight tries, one has to think that he can win at least one more at the prestigious grass-court tournament.

Career Projection: 3 titles

U.S. Open

The U.S. Open, the year's final Grand Slam, has been Rafa's worst major tournament throughout his career.

He completed the Career Grand Slam by winning at Flushing Meadows in 2010, but he is only 34-8 in Queens for his singles career.

Although Nadal can be awfully tough to beat on hard courts, he excels on clay and grass, evidenced by his strong performances at the French Open and Wimbledon over the years. 

With rival Novak Djokovic starting to assert his dominance at the season's hard court tournaments, it's hard to imagine Rafa winning another U.S. Open title. 

Career Projection: 1 titles

Assessment

Rafael Nadal is still in his tennis prime despite the recent setbacks concerning his knees. At age 26, Nadal has at least four quality years left in him, and will no doubt be the favorite at the French Open until the day he retires. 

I project Nadal to win five more Grand Slams before he calls it quits for good. His success at Roland Garros is almost a guarantee, and his underrated strength at the Australian Open and Wimbledon will boost him to a singles career Grand Slam count of 16, which is one less than Roger Federer's current count of 17.

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