Rafa Nadal makes his long-awaited return to the tennis court on October 3, 2026, ending a 683-day absence since his professional retirement at the Davis Cup Finals in November 2024. The 22-time Grand Slam champion headlines the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam in Manacor, Mallorca, a special exhibition tournament celebrating the tenth anniversary of his academy.
Movistar Plus Broadcasts the Event on Dial 7
Fans wishing to follow the action live can watch the exclusive broadcast on Movistar Plus. Coverage runs from 16:30 to 19:00 local time, with the opening match scheduled to get underway at 17:00.
Subscribers with sports packages or fiber and mobile bundles can access the event on dial 7 across Spain.
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Format and Team Lineups for the Manacor Exhibition
The exhibition features a unique team-based format utilizing super-tiebreak rules instead of traditional sets to keep the matches dynamic and fast-paced. Eight tennis legends are split into two opposing squads for a series of doubles matchups on the central court in Mallorca.
Team Rafa is captained by Nadal himself and features Carlos Moyà, current Spanish Davis Cup captain David Ferrer, and Richard Gasquet. Across the net, Team Murray is led by Andy Murray alongside Dominic Thiem, Marat Safin, and Fabio Fognini.
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Reflecting on a 683-Day Hiatus From Competition
Nadal’s last official appearance as a professional player came on November 19, 2024, at the Martín Carpena arena in Málaga, where he fell to Botic van de Zandschulp during the Davis Cup quarterfinals. Chronic foot injuries and a troublesome hip issue ultimately forced the Mallorcan champion to step away from the ATP Tour after more than two decades of elite competition.
In the months following his retirement, Nadal completely disconnected from the sport and avoided touching a racket for an extended period to let his body recover. His first time back on a court came during a hitting session in November 2025 with Filipino professional Alex Eala, who asked him to rally during a visit to the academy.
On-Air Coverage and Production Team
Movistar Plus has deployed an on-site reporting team to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor to bring viewers closer to the anniversary celebrations. The broadcasting lineup features Sara Giménez, Miguel Ángel Calleja (MAC), Roberto Carretero, Borja Zugadi, and Iñaki Cano.
When Did Rafa Nadal Retire and Who Plays in the Exhibition?
When did Rafa Nadal officially retire from professional tennis?
Nadal played his final professional match on November 19, 2024, representing Spain against the Netherlands at the Davis Cup Finals in Málaga.
What channel is broadcasting the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam?
Movistar Plus holds exclusive broadcasting rights in Spain, airing the event live on dial 7 for subscribers with sports packages or bundled fiber and mobile services.
Which players are participating in the exhibition tournament?
The tournament features eight tennis icons divided into two teams: Team Rafa includes Nadal, Carlos Moyà, David Ferrer, and Richard Gasquet, while Team Murray features Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem, Marat Safin, and Fabio Fognini.
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