Rafael Nadal captured his first career ATP singles title on August 15, 2004 with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Argentinian Jose Acasuso at the Idea Prokom Open in Sopot, Poland.

At 18 years and two months, Rafa become the youngest player to win an ATP event since Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt’s victory in Delray Beach, Fla., in 1999 at the same age.

After the match, Rafa said:

I needed a tournament win like this after my injury. I just hope that it’s not the last one. After this tournament, I’ll be in the Top 50. To see me in 70th place after being 30th before my injury, it wasn’t easy.

Rafa had little time to celebrate as he immediately jumped on a plane to represent Spain at the 2004 Olympics:

I leave to Athens tonight and play doubles tomorrow. Of course, I’ll be tired after this but it’s only a doubles match so hopefully it won’t affect me too much.

Video: Classic Sports Videos, Photos: EFE, IPA and RNFC Archive