He remained there for 912 consecutive weeks, until March 19, 2023, nearly 18 full years, the longest run of appearances in the top 10 in the half-century-plus history of the computerised rankings in men's tennis.
That's just one of many records and key numbers associated with 38-year-old Nadal's remarkable career, which came to an end after Spain were eliminated by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.
Here is a look at some of Nadal's most impressive statistics, according to the ATP and the International Tennis Federation:
— 22 grand slam titles, second among men to Novak Djokovic's 24.
— 14 championships at the French Open, the most at any grand slam tournament by a man or woman.
— 112-4 career win-loss record at Roland Garros.
— A career grand slam, including four titles at the US Open and two apiece at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
— 29-2 in Davis Cup singles play. His only defeats came against Jiri Novak in his debut in 2004 and against Botic van de Zandschulp on Tuesday, prompting this remark from Nadal: "I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle."
— .826 winning percentage in tour-level matches, second among men to Djokovic's .835.
— 1080-228 career record in tour-level singles matches gives him the fourth-most wins among men in the Open era, which dates to 1968, behind Jimmy Connors (1274), Roger Federer (1251) and Djokovic (1124).
— 92 titles, the fifth-most among men in the Open era, trailing Connors (109), Federer (103), Djokovic (99) and Ivan Lendl (94).
— 209 weeks at No.1 in the ATP rankings, the sixth-most ever.
— Five years finishing at No.1 in the rankings (2008, 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019) and eight years finishing at No.2 (2005-07, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2020 and 2022).
— Two Olympic gold medals, in singles in 2008 and doubles in 2016.
— At least one tour-level title for 19 consecutive seasons from 2004 through 2022, tied with Djokovic.
— 23 victories against a man ranked No.1 at the time, the most since ATP computerised rankings began in 1973.
— 63 clay-court titles, the most for a man in the Open era.
— 410 wins at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, tied with Djokovic for the most.
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