Is Rafael Nadal balding? Fans react to tennis star's hair loss

Is Rafael Nadal balding? Tennis fans reacted to the tennis legend’s apparent hair loss during this year’s US Open.

Rafael Nadal is back doing what he does best, and that’s playing tennis. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has suffered numerous injuries over the past few years, and it was unclear if he’d even play at the US Open.

However, despite the injuries, the Spaniard proved why he’s one of the greatest to ever do it, winning his 21st and 22nd major titles at the Australian Open and French Open.

He is now chasing his third major of the year and his fifth US Open title overall.

• TRENDING:Rafael Nadal’s full coaching team explored for 2022 US Open

Is Rafael Nadal going bald?

Throughout the tournament, fans on social media have been asking if Rafael Nadal is balding. The tennis legend is synonymous with long, flowing hair and his signature sweat band, but in recent years his hair is noticeably thinner.

In the sunshine, Nadal’s hair could be seen clearly, and it does seem as if he is going bald. Fans on social media noticed it too and shared their thoughts:

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern baldness, is the most common type of progressive hair loss disorder in men.

According to one source: ‘Half of the men in the world experience hair loss by age 50. About 70% of men will lose hair as they get older. And 25% of bald men see first signs of hair loss before age 21.’

• SPORTS: Why Rafael Nadal is wearing pink at the 2022 US Open

He actually underwent a hair transplant in 2016

Rafael Nadal actually underwent a hair transplant in 2016 in order to correct his thinning hair. According to reports, Nadal went through a ten-hour Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure at a specialist clinic in Madrid. Nadal reportedly paid £7,700 for the treatment, which involves extracting hair follicles from areas unaffected by balding to areas that are.

Doctors transplanted 4,500 follicles on his scalp, and although it takes around 18 months to see the results, his head was noticeably fuller after six months.

There were rumors Rafael Nadal had another hair transplant in 2018 but these are unconfirmed. Hair or no hair, Nadal is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and an inspiration to millions.

His fans will be hoping he can go all the way at the US Open this year to win a record 23rd Grand Slam title.

Joshua Rogers

Joshua is a senior sports writer with over four years' experience in online writing. He graduated with a BA in Ancient History from The University of Manchester before receiving an MA in Sports Journalism from The University of Central Lancashire. He became a trending writer for a leading social publisher and later spent time covering the 2018 World Cup for The Mirror Online. He then moved to a social marketing agency where he acted as website editor. His specialties on The Focus include F1, tennis, NBA, NFL and combat sports.