Rafael Nadal: From Business Mogul Back to the Tennis Court

Nearly two years after retiring from professional tennis in November 2024, Rafael Nadal is stepping back onto the court to play in an exhibition match celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, Spain, as reported by L’Avenir. The 22-time Grand Slam champion will headline the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam on Saturday, marking his first public match appearance in 683 days. Despite the momentous return for the former world No. 1, Nadal revealed that he has barely touched a tennis racket since hanging up his professional career, practicing only about four times for roughly thirty minutes total over the past six months, according to reporting by Le Figaro.

Celebrating a Decade at the Manacor Academy

The anniversary event brings together a star-studded lineup of tennis figures on the island of Mallorca. Alongside Nadal, the tournament features former greats and longtime rivals such as Andy Murray, Richard Gasquet, David Ferrer, Carlos Moya, Marat Safin, Dominic Thiem, and Fabio Fognini, as detailed by Le Figaro. Roger Federer was initially invited to join the exhibition, but the Swiss star was unable to accept the invitation due to scheduling conflicts, though he visited the academy over the summer and remains a supporter of the project.

Access to the anniversary tournament is strictly limited. Only about 1,500 spectators will be in attendance at the facility, with tickets distributed through a rigorous registration and lottery system that included academy employees, according to L’Avenir staff member Tanguy Van Mechelen, who noted that fifty employees received two tickets each. Fans unable to attend in person can watch the broadcast on the Spanish television network Movistar Plus beginning at 4:30 p.m. local time.

A Strictly Recreational Return Without Competitive Ambitions

For a player who defined an era of clay-court dominance and accumulated 22 Grand Slam titles, stepping onto the court carries zero competitive weight this weekend. Addressing his current form, Nadal made his mindset clear to Le Figaro: “No competitive Rafa Nadal is present today. I am in another phase. I really enjoyed hitting the ball during these two weeks [to train]; I had hardly played since my retirement, about four times, barely half an hour. Today, competition is the least of my worries; it’s a celebration at the academy. I have no competitive ambition.”

His longtime coach, Carlos Moya, acknowledged in an interview with CLAY cited by L’Avenir that Nadal takes training seriously when preparing for an event, noting, “We all know how seriously he takes this kind of thing. He likes to be in shape, to be sharp.” However, both mentor and player emphasize that the exhibition is purely for fun, friends, and the milestone anniversary.

Life After the ATP Tour and Future Ventures

Nadal’s return to exhibition play does not signal a pivot toward senior tour events or coaching. The 40-year-old Spaniard has firmly dismissed the idea of coaching for the foreseeable future, telling L’Avenir that after 23 grueling years on the professional circuit, his primary goal is establishing a stable home life with his wife and two young sons, Rafael Jr. and Miquel. Frequent travel is no longer part of his preferred routine.

Instead, the 22-time major winner is channeling his energy into expanding his business enterprises. His main professional focus remains the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor and its international expansion under a newly formed entity called International Tennis Academies, per L’Avenir. Beyond tennis, Nadal remains active with his charitable foundation and his partnership with Meliá Hotels International. In June, the brand opened ZEL Fuerteventura, marking their fourth hotel property and the first in the Canary Islands with 142 rooms.

Questions Remaining Ahead of Saturday’s Exhibition

As the anniversary celebration arrives at the Manacor facility, concrete questions remain regarding the precise singles and doubles matchups that tournament organizers have scheduled for the weekend, as neither L’Avenir nor Le Figaro published the full bracket or pairing details ahead of the Saturday afternoon broadcast on Movistar Plus.

More on this story: Rafa Nadal Returns to the Court for Academy Slam: "Zero Competitive Ambition · Rafael Nadal Returns to the Tennis Court for Academy Slam Against Andy Murray's Team