Rafael Nadal recently confessed that he has not played tennis since his retirement from professional tennis, which took place at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga last November.
The Spanish legend ended an almost unrepeatable career, in which he collected an incredible series of triumphs to become one of the most iconic athletes of all time.
It’s no secret that the 22-time Grand Slam champion has been thinking about playing some tournaments in 2025 by postponing his retirement, but some signs have made him realize that it wouldn’t make sense to continue for another year.
His body had sent him all too clear signals in the previous two seasons and the results had not lived up to expectations, as his premature eliminations at both Roland Garros and the Paris Olympics last summer had shown.
Nadal having fun in his academy
The former world No.1 – who played at the highest level for a time far exceeding expectations – admitted that he does not miss the professional tour and that he has already started enjoying the new chapter of his life together with his beautiful family and friends.
In the last few hours, the 14-time French Open champion has been immortalized in a video while playing padel in his academy.
In an interview released a couple of years ago, Rafa had confessed that he had never played this sport yet but that he would have liked to try it in the future.
Looking at the video, you can see how Nadal is perfectly at ease on the court and has found his new dimension.
Rafa is padeling❣️🥹🤧 such a lovely sight…
_andro02 IG stories pic.twitter.com/WlMEaADBSA
— 𝓝𝓪𝓭𝓪➁➁𝓲𝓬𝓪¹⁴ 🇺🇦 (@Nadallica86) March 4, 2025
Fans around the world are hoping that the Spaniard will organize some exhibition matches with his old rivals in the near future.
It would be great if he faced Roger Federer again in a friendly atmosphere, putting on a show and giving magic shots as in the past. Everyone still remembers their amazing performance in South Africa in 2020 in front of an oceanic crowd.
Tennis World USA